Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini apologised to the Inter fans who witnessed their heaviest derby defeat in almost five years.
The Nerazzurri crumbled to a 3-0 loss at the hands of city rival AC Milan on Sunday in a game Mancini himself was banished to the stands.
With the defeat, Inter have slipped to fourth after having led the Serie A table until shortly after Christmas.
"Obviously recent results have not been good," Mancini told Inter's website. "We've played really well in some games, but this has not been a good time for us.
"Unfortunately we lost tonight and I must congratulate Milan, even though I don't think the nature of the result reflected what we all saw out there.
"It's been difficult but all we can do is say sorry and roll up our sleeves. It'll all come together."
Inter might have equalised midway through the second half but substitute Mauro Icardi -- who started on the bench -- missed a penalty against 16-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.