SPOILS SHARED IN DERBY
Serie A
It's not easy to comment on a derby like that. AC Milan and Inter drew 1-1 in the big game on Serie A matchday 23, with both goals coming at the end of either half. While yet another goal from Tijjani Reijnders opened the scoring for the Rossoneri, it was another Dutchman - De Vrij - who scored in injury time of the second to deny AC Milan what would have been their third derby win this season after the reverse fixture in the league and the game in Riyadh. The Nerazzurri struck the post three times in the second half, but our boys also had the chances to kill the game off.
Our main takeaway from this evening at San Siro was the stout heart and brilliant mentality on display from Sérgio Conceição's side. As well as tonight's goalscorer (Tijji, with his 11th of the season, 7th in Serie A), we have to make a mention of the back line. Pavlović and Tomori were impermeable at the heart of the defence, while Theo and Kyle Walker - on debut - played well out wide. The final result is disappointing, of course, but following that tough night in Zagreb, the team reacted well, which is a good side ahead of a busy February to come. We're back in action on Wednesday when we host Roma in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals. Forza ragazzi!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v INTER
MATCH REPORT
It was a slow start to the game, with Pulisic the first to threaten for the Rossoneri: our No.11 had an effort deflected behind for a corner, before Sommer punched away a dangerous in-swinging corner from the US international moments later. Maignan plucked an attempt from Barella out of the air in the twelfth minute, after which there was a period where possession alternated between the sides without any real goalmouth action. Lautaro had two shots at goal after 30 and 35 minutes, but Tomori and Pavlović put enough pressure on the Argentinian striker to ensure that he fired off target. Soon after, Reijnders let fly with a fantastic effort that Sommer turned behind for a corner (38’). Just when it seemed like the two teams would be heading into the break on level terms, we took the lead: on the counter, Theo picked out Leão, whose shot was parried by Sommer, but Reijnders was there to smash home the rebound.
Just 40 seconds into the second half, AC Milan gave the ball away at the back and thus presented Lautaro with a shooting opportunity, but Maignan managed to save with his legs. Inter were doing the attacking and AC Milan were defending astutely, looking to hit their opponents on the counter. Leão (49’) and Theo (59’) both threatened for the Rossoneri, but their efforts were blocked by the Nerazzurri defence. Inzaghi tried to shake things up, and one of Inter’s substitutes - Bisseck - hit the post in the 67th minute. With 15 minutes of normal time to play, Sommer saved a right-footed strike from Reijnders. Inter then countered, with Mkhitaryan drilling wide. There was another scare in the 82nd minute as Thuram struck the woodwork. Camarda burst forward in the 89th minute and blasted narrowly over. In an action-packed ending, Dumfries struck the post and was also denied by Maignan. Inter then scored an equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time as Zalewski chested the ball down for De Vrij to convert. It finished 1-1.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 1-1 INTER
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Maignan; Walker, Tomori, Pavlović, Hernández; Musah (78' Terracciano), Bennacer (46' Jiménez), Reijnders; Pulisic (85' Chukwueze), Abraham (78' Camarda), Leão (85' Gabbia). Subs: Sportiello, Torriani; Bartesaghi, Thiaw; Zeroli; Jović, Okafor. Coach: Conceição.
INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard (63' Bisseck), De Vrij, Bastoni (63' C. Augusto); Dumfries, Barella, Çalhanoğlu (63' Zieliński), Mkhitaryan (76' Frattesi), Dimarco (76' Zalewski); Thuram, L. Martínez. Subs: Calligaris, J. Martínez; Acerbi, Darmian; Asllani; Arnautović, De Pieri, Taremi. Coach: Inzaghi.
Referee: Chiffi from Padova.
Goals: 45' Reijnders (M), 90'+3 De Vrij (I).
Booked: 53' Bastoni (I), 61' Dumfries (I).
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