DERBY‑DAY DELIGHT
Serie A
It's been a while. We are Derby winners, finally. On his first game back, a brace from Ibrahimović secured a hugely important victory for Pioli's Rossoneri, who maintain a perfect record in Serie A: four wins from four games. AC Milan had to work hard for the win, as is normal against strong teams. Two goals in a furious opening fifteen-minute period, in which AC Milan played some brilliant football. Conte's Inter got back in the game after half an hour through the prolific Lukaku. The battle raged for the remaining hour of the game; both sides had chances in an error-strewn second half. The Rossoneri held on with heart and courage to win in a fixture that has brought very little joy in recent years, putting in a true team performance. Twelve points in four games, one goal conceded and much desire to win. Let's keep this going!
Inter got out of the traps quickly; Hakimi threatened straight away as his low cross was cleared to safety by Kjær. AC Milan reacted well and got themselves into the game, forcing their first chance of the game in the 11th minute: Kolarov brought Ibra down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Zlatan stepped up to take the spot-kick; Handanović saved the initial effort but the mercurial Swede turned in the rebound: 1-0 to AC Milan. Not long after, the Rossoneri found themselves two goals to the good. Çalhanoğlu switched the play to Leão, who put in a perfect cross to Ibra - the Swede was never going to miss, 2-0. Just before the half-hour mark, Inter pulled one back; Perisić's cross came off Donnarumma and Lukaku only had to tap it in, 2-1. This was the first goal conceded by the Rossoneri in Serie A this season. The Nerazzurri looked dangerous again; Lautaro got his head on Hakimi's cross but Kjær did well to get back and clear it off the line. Moments later, Gigio denied Brozović. In added time of the first half, Lukaku's header from the corner was inches wide from bringing the score level. AC Milan were 2-1 up at half time.
The start of the second half was frantic and energetic, though mistakes were beginning to creep in on both sides. The first real chance, in the 55th minute, fell to Leão, who cut in from the left and fired towards goal, but his shot was just wide - Handanović was rooted to the spot. Inter responded with an even greater chance; Vidal found Hakimi, whose header at the back post was not far off target. AC Milan were again close to restoring the two-goal lead with a chance created by two substitutes; Castillejo fed Krunić, who fired over the crossbar. Inter were then awarded a penalty; Donnarumma brought Lukaku down, but VAR intervened and the initial decision was overturned for offside. Kjær also had a go but his headed effort was straight at the 'keeper. The 4th Official signalled five minutes of added time and Lukaku missed a clear opportunity to equalise in the 93rd minute; Lautaro found the Belgian in the box, but Theo Hernández put him under immense pressure and the striker fired wide. 2-1 at full time!
MATCH DETAILS
INTER 1-2 AC MILAN
Inter (3-4-1-2): Handanović; D'Ambrosio, de Vrij, Kolarov; Hakimi, Vidal (83' Sanchez), Brozović (68' Eriksen), Perisić; Barella; Lukaku, Martinez. Subs.: Padelli, Stanković; Darmian, Moretti, Ranocchia; Squizzato, Vezzoni; Pinamonti, Satriano. Coach: Conte.
AC Milan (4-2-3-1): G. Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjær, Romagnoli, Hernández; Bennacer, Kessie (87' Tonali); Saelemaekers (62' Castillejo), Çalhanoğlu, Leão (62' Krunić); Ibrahimović. Subs.: A. Donnarumma, Tătărușanu; Conti, Dalot, Kalulu; Díaz, Hauge, Tonali; Colombo, Maldini. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Mariani from Aprilia.
Goal: 13' Ibrahimović (M), 16' Ibrahimović (M), 29' Lukaku (I).
Booked: 22' Kjær (M), 45' Kessie (M), 60' Ibrahimović (M), 64' Brozović (I), 66' Pioli (M), 69' Vidal (I), 83' Hamiki (I), 84' Conte (I).
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