Some matches need very little introduction. Even in today's age of saturated television coverage and over-produced video montages, there are fixtures that leap off the page with no need for a hyperbolic buildup.

The Milan derby is one of these, pitting two of Italy's three most successful clubs against one another. It is a game that has been played at the highest of levels over many years, but which can be distilled down to local bragging rights just like any crosstown rivalry.

Supporters of both AC Milan and FC Internazionale—widely known as Inter Milan—look forward to the game from the moment the dates are announced, with the stadium always sold out when the duo go head-to-head.

That it is held in a concrete cathedral with a rich history of its own only adds to the prestige of the fixture, and San Siro remains one of world football's most iconic and recognisable stadia.

Serie A writer and Milan fan Rossella Marrai-Ricco told Bleacher Report:

"Stepping into that arena on game day is something magical. The richly historical San Siro exudes a powerful aura, particularly when it comes to a matchday like the Madonnina derby. It's more than just 90 minutes of league action. Instead, the city is divided and it's the time to prove which Milanese team is better. ... And that starts with the choreography before kick-off, through the action on the field, and, most importantly, the final outcome of the game.

"Traditionally, the derby has proved to be a tension-filled affair, allowing little room for error. Form goes out of the window, and hunger and passion is normally what carries the players on the field. From seeing Milan come back from two goals down last year, to the famous UEFA Champions League quarter-final clashes back in 2005, every derby is memorable in its own right."

There have been so many nights to remember, with that European encounter Marrai-Ricco mentioned standing out in the memory of football watchers everywhere.

Milan goalkeeper Dida was showered with flares thrown by opposition fans, but while the iconic image of Marco Materazzi leaning on Manuel Rui Costa was seen around the world, the video below—filmed by an Inter fan in the Curva Nord—paints the incident in a very different light.

With that in mind, Bleacher Report spoke to various supporters on both sides of the divided San Siro to learn about their favourite moments from the derby, with some surprising choices coming to light thanks to their unique vantage points.

The first comes from Nicolino DIBenedetto, a lifelong follower of the Nerazzurri who was able to express the frustration that came with following his team at a time when Milan were dominating both in Serie A and in Europe:

"As an Interista, for some reason misery comes to mind immediately when I think of the derby. The first thing I remember is the 6-0 pounding Inter took in 2001, a game that probably wasn't even THAT close. This was during a stretch when success against Milan was rare [one win, nine losses, four draws], and Inter seemed to be in a constant state of upheaval with a turnstile on the bench and roster.

"That stretch included losing the 2003 Champions League semi-finals, despite not losing a game! Only Inter could accomplish such a feat.

"At this time, Interisti just felt like you can't win against Milan. The frustration of being second eats at you and makes you wonder if Inter can ever get back on top. No matter what happens, the world is against you and things will always turn in the favor of the Rossoneri, while Inter throws money at every problem.

"That dread happened again in December 2005, the first meeting since Materazzi and Rui Costa casually watched San Siro light up in red fire.

"Milan answered both of Inter's goals, with Jaap Stam tying the match at 2-2 in the 83rd minute. He leapt over Adriano to score, giving Interisti that feeling that nothing was going to change. It was another example of Milan putting Inter down. Then in stoppage time, it happened ... Adriano got up, got his head to a corner kick and buried the ball past Dida. 3-2! Finally!"

Just a year earlier had been one of those Milan wins that made Inter feel so inferior to their cross-city cousins, a loss in the final moments that ensured the Rossoneri faithful were once again able to laugh at their rivals, Milan fan Michelangelo Gamberini told Bleacher Report:

"The derby I remember most fondly was in February 2004. We had already fought back to equalise through Jon Dahl Tomasson and Kaka after a splendid goal from Dejan Stankovic straight from a corner kick and Cristiano Zanetti again after a set piece we conceded needlessly. Not a bad result being two goals down at the half-time whistle!

"But it was not over. With five minutes to go, the game was almost done and with no real attacks or pressure from both sides, it seemed a draw would be the final result. Then Clarence Seedorf received the ball in the Inter half. Just a quick look to locate goalkeeper Francesco Toldo, then the masterpiece. A clinical and powerful shot hit the net and the stadium erupted."

The video above shows that was indeed the case, and the goal can be seen much more clearly here. More recently both teams have struggled, but the derby clashes remain vital to fans all over the world who still make the trip to watch the rivals stand toe-to-toe even when both are struggling.

One such fan, Jay Mallon from Ireland, made that journey last year when his beloved Milan sat in sixth place, two spots below Inter and both already looking unable to even finish in a Champions League berth.

He told Bleacher Report: "In January 2016 I was lucky to witness the Derby della Madonnina live. It was an amazing experience. The atmosphere created in the stands between both sets of fans was incredible. A 3-0 victory ensued for Milan, with an Icardi missed penalty in between. That's close to perfection even in such a bad year for us."

Unbelievable feeling being in the Curva last night....a great performance. Forza Milan Sempre ⚫️ pic.twitter.com/NgS6a3p7uQ

— Jay Mallon (@JayMallon3) October 23, 2016

Of course, just a few years earlier, and despite fading from their glorious treble under Jose Mourinho, Inter were still the superior side and made their extra quality count in a comprehensive defeat of the Rossoneri back in May 2012.

"Juventus or Milan winning the Scudetto? Being stabbed or shot? The conditions weren't great going from an Inter point of view going into the best derby I've ever witnessed in person. However those thoughts were dispersed before kick-off when Inter's Curva Nord presented a breathtaking tifo that had the entire San Siro on its feet applauding the amazing backdrop," Nima Tavallaey—the founder of the SempreInter website—told Bleacher Report.

"The referee Nicola Rizzoli had an awful day and this match became a classic despite his efforts to the contrary. That was thanks to brilliant individual efforts from Diego Milito, who scored his second derby hat-trick in Italy and Zlatan Ibrahimovic who scored a brace in what became his last Serie A match.

"Maicon's screamer for the final score 4-2 was symptomatic of a magical night at a stadium that has been likened in the past with a UFO and which felt that by those of us lucky to be present to be close to taking off into the atmosphere with every goal that fell!"

It will be with all these memories of famous victories and painful defeats that supporters of both teams will pack the San Siro to the rafters yet again this weekend. The stunning choreography and noise from the stands is a given, now we await the next chapter on the field as Milan and Inter meet once more in a derby that is not to be missed.