FIRST LEG FINISHES LEVEL
Coppa Italia
The first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final between AC Milan and Inter ended 1-1 at San Siro. The Rossoneri took the lead through a Tammy Abraham goal just after the break. Inter then drew level in the 67th minute, Çalhanoğlu with the goal. A first-leg draw means it is still all to play for in the return fixture on Wednesday 23 April. After taking the lead, the Rossoneri created a few chances on the break but didn't take them. Maignan produced several good saves to keep the Nerazzurri at bay. Following a period of ups and downs, AC Milan approached the fourth derby of the season with courage and determination against a side with plenty of ability.
Sérgio Conceição, who went with his usual 4-2-3-1, had to make do without Musah (fever) and handed a start to Alex Jiménez. The game was a largely even affair, punctuated by good moments for either side. After the break and after the equaliser, the Rossoneri boss shuffled the deck, sending on Sottil, João Félix and Giménez to try to retake the lead just as Inter were getting on top. Despite the draw, AC Milan showed that they have what it takes to get a result in the second leg later in the month. Up next: Fiorentina in the league, with the Rossoneri hoping to get back to winning ways. Forza Milan!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v INTER
MATCH REPORT
The match started at an intense pace, with both teams careful not to give too much away while also looking to take control of proceedings. Maignan got down well to keep out a powerful right-footed effort from Correa (9’), while then Theo fired over from the edge of the box after a Reijnders pull-back (16’). In the 21st minute, Abraham did his bit in defence by clearing off the line to thwart De Vrij. Rafa Leão had AC Milan’s biggest chance in the first half after a break down the left, but Martínez foiled the Portuguese man with his foot. In the closing stages of the first half, Maignan did brilliantly to beat away a Frattesi header that was destined for goal. A goalless first half came to an end with both teams having had chances to open the scoring.
AC Milan made a strong start to the second half, taking the lead just two minutes after the restart: Tammy Abraham engineered space for himself in the box, turned and let fly with a precise right-footed strike that flew across the goalkeeper and into the net: 1-0 to AC Milan! Inter tired to respond immediately, but Mike got his hands to a right-footed shot from Barella. Reijnders saw his attempt deflected behind in the 62nd minute. From the resulting corner, Rafa sent an overhead kick over the bar. With 67 minutes on the clock, Çalhanoğlu brought the Nerazzurri level with a powerful strike from outside the box. Leão almost found the net in the 86th minute, but his curling effort went narrowly wide. Inter finished the game strongly and almost won it through Zalewski, but Maignan produced another excellent stop. The scoreline remained the same, and the first-leg clash at San Siro finished in a 1-1 draw.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 1-1 INTER
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Walker, Gabbia, Thiaw, Hernández; Fofana (87' Bondo), Reijnders; Jiménez (68' Sottil), Pulisic (76' João Félix), Leão (87' Chukwueze); Abraham (76' Gimenez). Subs.: Sportiello, Torriani; Florenzi, Pavlović, Terracciano, Tomori; Jović. Coach: Conceição.
INTER (3-5-2): Martínez; Bisseck (59' Pavard), De Vrij (79' Acerbi), Bastoni; Darmian, Frattesi (59' Mkhitaryan), Çalhanoğlu, Barella, C. Augusto (59' Zalewski); Thuram, Correa (90' Berenbruch). Subs.: Di Gennaro, Sommer; Aidoo, Dimarco, Re Cecconi; Arnautović, Lavelli. Coach: Inzaghi.
Referee: Fabbri from Ravenna.
Goal: 47' Abraham (M), 67' Çalhanoğlu (I)
Booked: 19' Hernández (M), 53' Acerbi (I), 58' Bisseck (I), 88' Reijnders (M)
Subscribe to the AC Milan WhatsApp channel!
