DEADLOCK IN THE DERBY
Serie A
It was an eventful Derby that finished in a stalemate. It was probably the right result as both teams threatened on numerous occasions. Çalhanoğlu gave Inter the lead from the penalty spot before de Vrij's own goal brought AC Milan level. Then came Tătăruşanu's moment; in the 26th minute, he held firm and denied Lautaro from the spot as the Nerazzurri were awarded a second penalty in under half an hour of football. AC Milan had to dig deep at times, especially early in the second half, but let various chances slip through their fingers late on - including Saelemaekers hitting the post and Kessie sending the rebound wide. This point keeps the Rossoneri level with Napoli at the top of the table and maintains the seven-point gap between AC Milan and their local rivals. The team showed character and courage. There were plenty of positives for a season, in which we want to compete right until the very end. We now have two weeks of the international break to rest and recuperate. On Saturday 20 November, we're back in action at the Franchi against Fiorentina: Forza Milan!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v INTER
REPORT
It was a frantic start to a tense fixture. Inter took the lead in the 11th minute; Çalhanoğlu converted from the penalty spot. The Rossoneri reacted well with two attempts from Leão, both of which were too central and easily dealt with by Handanovič. But the equaliser did come in the 17th minute. Tonali whipped in the free-kick, Tomori rose to meet it but the telling touch came from de Vrij, who headed it into his own next. AC Milan level. The guests were awarded another penalty in the 26th minute. Ballo-Touré brought Darmian down in the box; this, Lautaro stepped up to take it but Tătăruşanu produced a spectacular save. The action was frenetic and tensions were running high. We threatened in the 37th minute through Leão, whose effort was punched clear by Handanovič. Ballo-Touré did really well in the 44th minute to clear Barella's attempt off the line. All square at the break.
The game remained unchanged in the second half as the action went by at breakneck speed, with both sides looking to get onto the front foot and win the game. Lautaro had AC Milan hearts in mouths in the 55th minute but his deflected effort sailed over the bar. The Nerazzurri ramped up the pressure and Pioli reacted by sending on Saelemaekers and the returning Rebić. And it was Ante who, in the 68th minute, came close with an effort from a tight angle that was turned onto the outer netting by Skriniar. Two minutes later, Ibra's effort whistled just wide. Kalulu twice held his ground to deny Vidal in front of goal (72'). The Rossoneri got back on the front foot and were well in the ascendency as the game wound to a close; Ibra's penalty forced Handanovič into a save (81') before, one minute later, Bennacer sent his effort off target after he received it from Zlatan. Still AC Milan: Rebić's volley effort was blocked. Kalulu had a go in the 88th minute - wide. The Rossoneri had a huge double chance in the 89th minute. Saelemaekers hit the post from the edge of the box and Kessie fired wide on the rebound. The Derby ended 1-1.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 1-1 INTER
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Tătăruşanu; Calabria, Kjær, Tomori, Ballo-Touré (46' Kalulu); Tonali (71' Bennacer), Kessie; Díaz (58' Saelemaekers), Krunić, Leão (59' Rebić); Ibrahimović. Subs: Mirante; Conti, Florenzi, Gabbia; Bakayoko; Giroud, Maldini, Pellegri. Coach: Pioli.
INTER (3-5-2): Handanovič; Skriniar, de Vrij, Bastoni (84' Dimarco); Darmian (76' Dumfries), Barella (68' Vidal), Brozović, Çalhanoğlu, Perišić; Džeko (76' Correa), Lautaro (84' Sánchez). Subs: Radu; D'Ambrosio, Kolarov, Ranocchia; Gagliardini, Sensi, Vecino. Coach: Inzaghi.
Referee: Doveri from Roma.
Goal: 11' pen. Çalhanoğlu (I), 17' o. g. de Vrij (M).
Booked: 26' Ballo-Touré (M).
Notes: 26' penalty saved by Tătăruşanu to deny Lautaro.
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