The Serie A Week 12 derby between FC Internazionale Milano and AC Milan will be officiated by local hero Simone Sozza, a 42-year-old Milan native, on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 20:45 CET at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. It’s not just another match—it’s the 237th official meeting between the two clubs, a rivalry that cuts deeper than football, into identity, pride, and history. And this time, the man in the middle was born just miles from the stadium.
Who’s Officiating the Big Games?
The Serie A Week 12 fixtures, running from Saturday, November 22 to Monday, November 24, 2025, feature a mix of experienced referees and rising stars. Daniele Doveri, 48, from Rome and widely regarded as the most seasoned official in the league, will take charge of the high-stakes clash between Juventus FC and ACF Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence. Doveri’s track record speaks volumes: 18 matches in the 2024/25 season, 50 yellow cards, and just four penalties awarded—tight, controlled, and rarely controversial.Meanwhile, Paolo Valeri is pulling double duty—refereeing both Cagliari Calcio vs. Genoa CFC and Torino vs. Como. That’s unusual. Most referees get one match per week. Valeri’s appointment suggests the AIA trusts his consistency, even if it raises eyebrows about workload.
The VAR teams are equally stacked. Marco Aureliano and Marco Di Martino are recurring names across multiple matches—clearly the go-to duo for high-pressure games. Di Martino, in particular, has become the league’s most trusted VAR, appearing in five of the nine Week 12 fixtures.
Controversy Lingers from Last Week
The appointments come on the heels of a messy matchday 11. After Cremonese’s 1-1 draw with Roma, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini didn’t hold back. "They made two very bad mistakes," he said. "If he had to intervene, it should’ve been in the first half, not in the second. They have very little to do close to the benches; in this case he behaved very poorly."The flashpoint? A penalty awarded to Cremonese, then overturned after VAR review. Filippo Terracciano escaped a yellow card despite a clear foul, while Jan Ziolkowski was booked for a minor challenge. The inconsistency sparked outrage among fans and pundits alike. The AIA didn’t comment publicly, but the timing of these appointments feels deliberate—choosing referees with clean records and strong reputations to restore credibility.
Why Sozza for the Derby?
Appointing a Milan-born referee for the derby della Madonnina is a calculated move. It’s not just about neutrality—it’s about perception. Fans expect bias, whether real or imagined. Sozza, though born in the city, has no known ties to either club’s youth academies or boardrooms. He’s refereed 12 Serie A matches this season with a reputation for calm authority. His assistants, Marco Peretti and Massimiliano Colarossi, are equally experienced. The VAR team—Marco Aureliano and Daniele Di Paolo—has been flawless in high-stakes games this season.It’s the first time since 2019 that a native Milanese has officiated the derby. Back then, it was Daniele Orsato—who later went on to referee the World Cup final. The AIA may be signaling they want this match to be remembered for the football, not the refereeing.
What’s at Stake Beyond the Scoreline?
This derby isn’t just about top-four ambitions. Inter sit third, Milan fourth. A win could swing momentum for the entire season. And with both teams playing high-press, attacking football, the pace will test even the most seasoned officials. Davide Massa, who’s refereed 19 matches this season and handed out 82 yellow cards, will oversee Lazio vs. Lecce—a match that could see tempers flare. His stats suggest he’s not afraid to keep control with cards, which might be exactly what’s needed.Meanwhile, Federico La Penna, who’s officiated four Serie A games this season, is confirmed for one of the Week 12 fixtures, though the exact match remains unconfirmed. His presence hints at the AIA’s quiet push to give younger referees more exposure—especially in mid-table clashes where the stakes are lower but the learning curve is steep.
What Comes Next?
The broadcast team at DAZN Italy will begin pre-match coverage at 19:30 CET, with analysis focused heavily on Sozza’s past decisions. Fans will be watching not just the players, but the referee’s body language, his positioning near the touchline, how he handles crowd pressure. In a derby like this, the whistle is just the beginning.Next week’s appointments will be closely scrutinized. If Sozza handles the pressure well, he could be in line for bigger matches—perhaps even a European fixture. If not, the AIA may revert to safer, more distant choices. The message is clear: the derby isn’t just a game. It’s a test of the entire refereeing system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Simone Sozza chosen to referee the Inter-Milan derby?
Sozza was chosen because he’s a Milan native with no ties to either club, which helps counter perceptions of bias. He’s officiated 12 Serie A matches this season with a calm, consistent style and has been praised for his positioning and communication. The AIA likely sees him as the ideal candidate to keep the derby under control without drawing unnecessary attention to his decisions.
Who is the most experienced referee in Serie A this season?
Daniele Doveri, 48, holds that title with 18 matches officiated in the 2024/25 season. He’s handed out 50 yellow cards, only one yellow-red, and awarded four penalties—fewer than most, suggesting he prefers to let play flow. His calm demeanor and precision in VAR reviews make him the league’s go-to official for high-profile matches.
What controversy preceded Week 12’s appointments?
In Matchday 11, referee decisions in Cremonese vs. Roma sparked outrage. A penalty was awarded, then overturned by VAR, while Filippo Terracciano escaped a booking despite a clear foul. Jan Ziolkowski was yellow-carded for a minor challenge. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini called the officiating "very poor," criticizing the referee’s presence near the benches and delayed interventions.
How many times have Inter and Milan faced each other in official matches?
The upcoming derby marks the 237th official meeting between Inter and Milan since their first clash on January 15, 1902. The rivalry includes 132 league matches, 36 Coppa Italia games, and 69 other competitions. Inter leads the overall head-to-head with 82 wins to Milan’s 73, with 81 draws.
Who are the most frequent VAR officials in Serie A this season?
Marco Di Martino and Marco Aureliano are the most-used VAR teams, appearing in five of the nine Week 12 matches. Di Martino, in particular, has been involved in 11 of the 25 matches so far this season. Their consistency suggests they’re the AIA’s preferred pair for high-stakes games, especially those with tight refereeing margins.
Is Paolo Valeri being overworked with two matches in Week 12?
Yes, it’s unusual. Most referees are assigned just one match per week to prevent fatigue and maintain objectivity. Valeri’s double booking—Cagliari-Genoa and Torino-Como—raises questions about scheduling. But his track record is impeccable: calm under pressure, minimal complaints. The AIA likely trusts him to handle it, but it’s a risk that could backfire if either match turns contentious.