Inter Milan and AC Milan have played out a goalless first half in the highly-anticipated Milan derby this evening.

Milan almost took the lead in the opening 10 minutes when Mario Balotelli found space on the turn inside the area, however, his effort flew just over the crossbar.

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Kaka threatened for the visitors minutes later as he danced through the Inter defence, before his shot was kept out by Samir Handanovic.

Inter's first chance came when Fredy Guarin tested Christian Abbiati from distance, but the keeper did well to ensure the ball stayed out.

Saphir Taider looked menacing for the hosts and he turned in a promising cross into the Milan box, which Yuto Nagatomo wasted with a poor header wide of goal.

Milan's Andrea Poli spurned the best chance of the half as the ball fell to his feet following a poor piece of keeping from Handanovic, but the midfielder blasted over when it almost looked easier to score.