SEMI‑FINAL DEFEAT
Coppa Italia
AC Milan's Coppa Italia run has ended after defeat to Inter in the second leg of the semi-final. It was a difficult derby day and it got off to the worst possible start after the Rossoneri fell behind after just four minutes. A first-half brace from Martínez and a late Gosens goal finalised the 3-0 result. The Rossoneri were made to pay by certain incidents in the game and various errors for the Inter goals. AC Milan created plenty of chances but lacked accuracy in the final third in what was largely a tight and even game. Luck was also lacking on the night as Bennacer's goal, which would have pulled the Rossoneri back into it, was chalked off by VAR.
The goalless draw in the first leg had left the tie wide open and the Coppa would have been a big chance for silverware this season, but the Diavolo were just not clinical enough tonight - contrary to the derby in the league. It is a tough defeat to take and one which we need to move on from as soon as possible. The Nerazzurri, just like last year, have again halted Pioli's side's progress in the cup. We now pin all of our hopes on Serie A with five matchdays still to go; Champions League qualification is the first aim to achieve and the Scudetto dream is still alive. On Sunday 24 April at 20:45 CEST, AC Milan travel to the Olimpico to take on Lazio.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM INTER v AC MILAN
REPORT
It was a bad start: Inter took the lead in the fourth minute as Martínez volleyed home Darmian’s cross. After such an early blow, AC Milan started collect themselves, with Kessie firing into the side-netting in the twelfth minute. Around the half-hour mark, the Rossoneri really stepped it up: first, Leão skipped past Škriniar before Handanovič saved with his body to keep out the Portuguese’s effort from a tight angle. Two minutes later, the Inter goalkeeper was called into action again, pushing away Saelemaekers’ volley. Then, in the 32nd minute, Giroud got in the way of a Tonali shot that looked to be heading towards goal. Barella fired over after 37 minutes, while, at the other end, Perišić made a crucial intervention with the ball rolling towards the goalline and Handanovič once again thwarted Leão. With a Rossoneri goal seemingly on the horizon, Inter scored their second: Martínez latched onto Correa’s ball and dinked it over Maignan in the 40th minute.
Coach Pioli made two changes at the break, with Díaz and Messias coming on for Tonali and Saelemaekers. The Diavolo displayed spirit and courage as they went on the attack. Kessie headed into Handanovič’s arms (48’), while Hernández failed to hit the target with a left-footed strike from distance (54’). In between these attempts, Maignan remained alert to turn Lautaro’s attempt behind for a corner following a counter-attack. With Brahim trying to provide some inspiration, the Rossoneri were pushing the Nerazzurri back. Bennacer thought he’d reduced the arrears after 67 minutes, but, with Kalulu adjudged to have been in Handanovič’s line of sight, the goal was chalked off. It was a moment that knocked the wind out of the Rossoneri’s sails. Hernández, Messias and Giroud all had a go but to no avail. Then came the final knockout blow as Gosens tapped home Brozović’s ball across the six-yard box (83’). Kessie had one final effort in stoppage time, but it just wasn’t AC Milan’s night. Full-time.
MATCH DETAILS
INTER 3-0 AC MILAN
INTER (3-5-2): Handanovič; Škriniar, de Vrij, Bastoni (79' D'Ambrosio); Darmian, Barella, Brozović, Çalhanoğlu (73' Vidal), Perišić (79' Gosens); Correa (70' Sánchez), Martínez (70' Džeko). Subs: Radu; Dimarco, Dumfries, Ranocchia; Gagliardini, Vecino; Caicedo. Coach: Inzaghi.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria (72' Gabbia), Kalulu, Tomori, Hernández; Bennacer (72' Krunić), Tonali (46' Díaz); Saelemaekers (46' Messias), Kessie, Leão (86' Lazetić); Giroud. Subs: Mirante, Tătăruşanu; Ballo-Touré; Bakayoko, Castillejo; Rebić. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Mariani from Aprilia.
Goals: 4' e 40' Martínez (I), 82' Gosens (I).
Booked: 35' Hernández (M), 61' Škriniar (I), 90' Tomori (M).
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