Inter Milan directors were thrilled with Wesley Sneijder's derby debut on Saturday.

Inter Massimo Moratti had stated just hours before the derby that Wesley Sneijder was "not the most necessary signing in the world," but was taken aback by the Dutchman's debut.

"It is incredible how he immediately settled into the squad and showed such character in a very important game."

Sneijder was not originally in the squad, but his international transfer from Real Madrid came through on Friday night and he was thrown in at the deep end.

"Seeing him in the starting XI was a big surprise, but even more so was his performance," added director Marco Tronchetti Provera.

"It truly is a smart signing. We are a compact side and it seemed like Milan are no longer a united force, they have lost that cohesion that had made them strong."