DEFEAT IN SEMI‑FINAL FIRST LEG
Champions League
AC Milan fought hard but came out of the first round of the Champions League semi-final bruised. It ended 2-0 at San Siro following a first half devoid of any real invention, the Rossoneri then showed plenty of courage and determination after the break. In front of the home crowd, the Rossoneri were caught out by two quick goals from the guests, who took full control of the tie in the space of three minutes. During the first half, Saelemaekers - who replaced Rafa Leão - and Messias tried to get things going but couldn't quite find the right gear. Our boys grew into it in the second half, in a performance full of energy, intensity and spirit. They came close on numerous occasions to halving the deficit, most notably through Sandro Tonali, whose effort ricocheted off the post.
Following an off night for Stefano Pioli's men, there will be concern for Ismaël Bennacer, who was forced off due to injury with little over a quarter of an hour played. The scoreline after the first 90 minutes means the Rossoneri will need to come from behind in the second leg. But first, AC Milan are back in action in Serie A and they will want to get back to winning ways when they travel to Spezia in a month with very few breathers. Then, in six days' time, it's the second act of the Euroderby at the Scala del Calcio, and the Rossoneri will need to put in a big performance if they're to stand a chance of going through.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v INTER
MATCH REPORT
The game started off with a battle for possession, but both sides’ high press didn’t allow either team to settle. The visitors took the lead with their first chance: Džeko hooked in a left-footed volley from Çalhanoğlu’s corner to make it 1-0 after eight minutes. Three minutes later, and it was 2-0: Dimarco played in Mkhitaryan, who timed his run perfectly into the box and slotted home past Maignan. The Nerazzurri continued to push forward and after 16 minutes Çalhanoğlu hit the post from distance, while Mkhitaryan and Barella both couldn’t find the net on the rebound. The Rossoneri replied on the half-hour mark with a nice move that ended with Calabria’s back-heel flick going just wide, after Messias’ cross in. Just before half-time, Giroud tried his luck acrobatically, but his effort wasn’t cleanly struck and went wide, too. The first half ended there.
The Rossoneri started the second half off brightly: Díaz made Onana worried after his left-footed curler from the edge of the box went just wide on 49 minutes, before Messias went close with his left two minutes later, after a great ball through from Tonali. Inter replied with Bastoni advancing through the middle setting up Džeko in the area, but Maignan was out quick to block his effort on 53 minutes. AC Milan started to put some pressure on as they looked for a way back into the game, and after 63 minutes Tonali smashed a powerful low-drive against the post, from Giroud’s lay-off. There was a chance apiece after 75 minutes: first, Darmian’s right-footed attempt was blocked by the home side’s defence; then, Messias’ effort was blocked before going through to Onana. In stoppage time, Pobega called the Nerazzurri’s Cameroon keeper into action again with a powerful left-footed drive, but it went straight at him. The final push didn’t reward the Rossoneri’s second-half efforts and the game ended 0-2.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 0-2 INTER
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria (82' Kalulu), Kjær (59' Thiaw), Tomori, Hernández; Tonali, Krunić; Díaz (82' Pobega), Bennacer (18' Messias), Saelemaekers (59' Origi); Giroud. Subs: Mirante, Nava; Ballo-Touré, Gabbia; De Ketelaere, Rebić. Coach: Pioli.
INTER (3-5-2): Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Çalhanoğlu (78' Gagliardini), Mkhitaryan (62' Brozović), Dimarco (70' de Vrij); Martínez (78' Correa), Džeko (70' Lukaku). Subs: Cordaz, Handanovič; D'Ambrosio, Zanotti; Asllani, Bellanova, Gosens. Coach: S. Inzaghi.
Referee: Gil Manzano (Spain).
Goals: 8' Džeko (I), 11' Mkhitaryan (I).
Booked: 46' Krunić (M), 46' Mkhitaryan (I), 64' Tomori (M).
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