Despite both teams hunting for Champions League qualification and boasting some exciting attacking options in Mauro Icardi and Patrick Cutrone, the first half was a relatively lacklustre affair apart from two moments.
In the 21st minute, Samir Handanovic got down low to parry away a dangerous free-kick from Hakan Calhanoglu, with Leonardo Bonucci poaching for a tap-in, to prevent Milan from opening the scoring.
Fifteen minutes later, Icardi thought that he had broken the deadlock when he calmly slotted the ball through Gianluigi Donnarumma's legs after getting on the end of a defence-splitting pass.
However, following some deliberation, VAR decided to rule out the goal after images showed that the Argentine striker went a fraction early in what was a close call by the officials.
It meant that both Milan clubs went into the break level, but they came out of the blocks quick in the second half as they desperatedly searched for an opener.
- Missed chances and poor positioning -
Ivan Perisic's cross/shot landed squarely on the crossbar, much to the relief of Donnarumma who had left the ball thinking that it was going out, while Milan were straight up the other end as Franck Kessie fired his shot wide of the left post.
Icardi then missed a tap-in after some beautiful link-up play with Antonio Candreva, although the offside flag meant it wouldn't have stoody anyway.
Ten minutes later, Donnarumma nearly allowed Inter to score after he parried a dangerous cross from Perisic into the path of Icardi, but Milan were quick to get an important block to clear the danger.
Shortly after, Cutrone thought he had emulated Cristiano Ronaldo's incredible bicycle kick but he too was deemed offside by the linesman. Replays showed it was the right decision.
As the game edged toward its conclusion, Icardi had one last attempt to steal the glory in the 92nd minute. However, he couldn't direct a cut-back into the net as another golden opportunity went wasted.
The referee blew for full-time and both sides had to settle for a point apiece, with poor finishing and positioning the main talking points from the Milan derby.
The result does little to ther Serie A table as Inter miss the chance to move ahead of Roma into third while Milan remain in sixth, eight points off Champions League qualification.
April 4, 2018