Inter Milan registrered an important 2-0 victory over AC Milan in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final match on Wednesday (IST) at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy. Inter’s quick attack led to goals in the 8th and 11th minutes of the match, with Edin Dzeko scoring a close-range volley and Henrikh Mkhitaryan doubling the lead from Federico Dimarco’s cross.
⚽ Mkhitaryan doubles the lead! 🤯
• Milan 0-2 Inter (11')#UCL pic.twitter.com/cUq4Y7aPPx
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 10, 2023
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The win kept Inter on track to become the first Italian team to win the trophy since their 2010 triumph. Their early goals shocked their city rivals, who were hosting them. Inter had never beaten their rivals in a European knockout tie before, with AC Milan winning both previous encounters, the most recent being the 2004-05 quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Inter Milan began the Champions League semi-final with two quick-fire goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, dominating the first half although missing a few chances to add to their lead. The second leg will be played on Tuesday, with the winner facing either Real Madrid or Manchester City, who drew 1-1 in their first leg. The match between Inter and Milan, dubbed the “Euroderby,” witnessed a high-intensity atmosphere at San Siro.
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Milan and Juventus faced each other in the Champions League last four 20 years ago, with Milan winning on away goals and subsequently coming out on top in the final, securing their sixth of seven titles.
Despite the match expected to be tight, Inter made an excellent start by taking the lead in the eighth minute. Hakan Çalhanoğlu delivered a corner from the left, and Dzeko outmanoeuvred Davide Calabria to score a volley into the top right corner.
⚽️ Džeko with a beauty to give Inter the dream start!
• Milan 0-1 Inter (8')#UCL pic.twitter.com/TKRSP4aKhP
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 10, 2023
Three minutes later, Inter extended their lead by scoring another goal. Lautaro Martínez left Federico Dimarco’s low pass, allowing Mkhitaryan to lob the ball over Mike Maignan.
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AC Milan’s UCL strong defence broken
Over the course of their previous six Champions League matches, Milan had only conceded one goal. Despite Milan’s strong defensive record, Inter came close to scoring their third goal just five minutes later, with Çalhanoglu’s long-range attempt hitting the right post.
Milan’s players were stunned by the near-miss, and had their first shot on goal at the half-hour mark, but Calabria’s effort hit the side netting.
However, Milan’s near fortunes was short-lived, as Inter was awarded a penalty soon after. Simon Kjær committed a foul on Martínez. But after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor, the referee reversed his decision.
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The Rossoneri nearly pulled one back in the 63rd minute. However, Sandro Tonali’s shot came off the bottom of the left post to deny them a crucial goal.