AC Milan and Inter fans light flares as they gather outside San Siro ahead of behind-closed-doors derby

ITALIAN fans lit flares and ignored social distancing ahead of the Milan derby held behind closed doors at the San Siro.

AC Milan and Inter supporters congregated in their thousands before the biggest Derby della Madonnina in more than a decade.

Supporters lit flares and waved flags as they congregated before the Milan derbyItalian fans crowded together despite the Covid-19 pandemic

Riot police were called to try and disperse crowds

Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte‘s Inter took a one-point lead at the top of Serie A into the game after leapfrogging their neighbours last weekend.

A fiery atmosphere was created in the build-up to the game despite Covid rules in the Italian city stating people should keep a metre apart and wear masks in public spaces.

Reports suggested 5,000 fans from both teams packed the surrounding area around the shared stadium with police called to disperse the rowdy crowds.

Italian rulemakers ‘strongly recommend’ avoiding public transport unless for essential travel or commuting to work.

Fans could be sen huddled together waving large flags with many mouths and noses left uncovered despite the pandemic.

Sunday’s derby has been hotly-anticipated after the heated clash between Inter’s Romelu Lukaku and Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic last time out.

The ex-Manchester United team-mates went head-to-head in an explosive exchange in the Coppa Italia quarter-final last month.

Veteran Swede Ibrahimovic, 39, was seen and heard shouting: “Go do your voodoo s***, go do your voodoo s***, little donkey.”

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Fans with megaphones geed up the masses

Italian supporters unfurled huge banners and waved flags in the build-up to kick-off

Fans of both sides flooded to the stadium despite the game being held behind closed doors

Lukaku, 27, responded with ‘I’ll f*** you and your wife’.

The ex-Everton and Chelsea ace then charged at the Swede and blasted ‘Let’s go inside you b****’ before both players were booked.

The two protagonists escaped any further punishment after an investigation by the Italian Football Federation.

And a stunning mural depicting their coming-together was painted outside the San Siro before Sunday’s league game.

Inter took the lead thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s goal after just five minutes and went in at half-time 1-0 up.

And the Argentine bagged his second in the 57th minute to give Conte’s side a two-goal cushion.

A mural of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku’s clash from the last derby was painted outside

Fans took selfies with their flares

Thousands packed into the area surrounding the San Siro

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