CUP EXIT
Coppa Italia
AC Milan's run in the Coppa Italia comes to an end at the quarter-final stage. In a straight knockout Derby, Inter triumphed 2-1 at San Siro thanks to Lukaku's goal midway through the second half and Eriksen's injury-time winner. Ibrahimović had given AC Milan the lead in the first half; Zlatan was at the heart of the action, both for his sumptuous finish and for his sending off with the score still at 1-0, which spurred on the opposition's fightback. A ten-man AC Milan struggled to get back into the game and were forced to drop deeper and deeper. The Rossoneri were saved on multiple occasions by Ciprian Tătărușanu, who was in fine form. There is little to say about the team, who give it their all for as long as they could. It is also worth noting that Fikayo Tomori made his debut and looked solid and alert after having been thrown into the mix following an injury to Kjær. It is a shame that one of AC Milan's three sporting objectives is now unattainable but the season is not over. On Saturday at 15:00, AC Milan will take on Bologna at the Dall'Ara (Serie A matchday 20), for an away trip that will be essential for the group to get back on track.
TAKE A LOOK AT THE GALLERY OF INTER V AC MILAN
REPORT
AC Milan took the right approach and went close through Leão in the second minute, with the Portuguese's effort slipping just past the post. It was an open and tactical match and emotions were running high. In the 13th minute, Ibrahimović headed across the face of goal but Díaz couldn't make the telling touch. In the 24th minute, Lukaku managed to fend off Romagnoli, turn and shoot, only to be denied by Tătărușanu's leg. The Rossoneri got their noses in front in the 31st minute through Ibrahimović, whose effort across goal hit the inside of the post and nestled in the back of the net. The Nerazzurri went close to an equaliser in the 37th minute, but Hernández managed to make a vital block to deny Sanchez. It really began to heat up late on in the first half and Brozović saw his volley sail wide in injury time.
Inter were much-improved after the break and forced Tătărușanu into action; the Romanian managed to tip Kolarov's free-kick over the bar (49') and denied Sanchez from close range (50'). Lukaku and Vidal were both unsuccessful with their effort then, Ibrahimović was sent off in the 58th minute (second yellow card). Inter continued to push and went close though Perisić's header. The equaliser came in the 71st minute; a VAR review adjudged Leão to have brought Barella down in the box and Lukaku's effort from the spot hit the bar and went in. Tătărușanu miraculously kept it level, denying Hakimi (83'), Martínez in a one-on-one situation (89') and Lukaku from very close range (90'). Eriksen won it for Inter deep into injury time (97') with a perfect free-kick from the edge of the penalty area.
MATCH DETAILS
INTER 2-1 AC MILAN
INTER (3-5-2): Handanović; Škriniar, de Vrij, Kolarov (92' Young); Darmian (46' Hakimi), Barella, Brozović (88' Eriksen), Vidal, Perisić (67' Martínez); Lukaku, Sanchez. Subs: Padelli, Radu; Bastoni, Ranocchia; Gagliardini, Sensi; Pinamonti. Coach: Conte.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Tătărușanu; Dalot, Kjær (20' Tomori), Romagnoli, Hernández; Meïte, Kessie; Saelemaekers (85' Castillejo), Díaz (60' Rebić), Leão (85' Krunić); Ibrahimović. Subs: A. Donnarumma, Jungdal; Calabria, Kalulu; Hauge; Maldini. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Valeri from Roma.
Goals: 31' Ibrahimović (M), 71' pen. Lukaku (I), 97' Eriksen (I).
Booked: 17' Kjær (M), 45' Lukaku (I), 52' Brozović (I), 63' Rebić (M), 100' Hakimi (I).
Sent Off: 58' Ibrahimović (M).
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