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Inter one foot in the Final after DOMINATING AC Milan

Inter have are almost into the Champions League final after winning the first leg of their Milan derby semi-final 2-0.

Inter got off to a flying start with goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan just 11 minutes, startling rivals AC Milan and everyone inside the San Siro. Inter were awarded a penalty before Stefano Pioli’s side could get their bearings, which was overturned by referee Jesus Gil after a VAR assessment in dubious circumstances.

Simone Inzaghi’s men came away with a deserved 2-0 victory thanks to brilliant game management in the second half. Milan, on the other hand, managed only one shot on goal in an overall poor performance.

Here are five takeaways from a rowdy San Siro.

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1. Leao Rafael Absence

After weeks of anticipation, the city of Milan was a hive of activity throughout the day as both sets of fans enjoyed the biggest game in Italian football in years. However, 90 minutes before kick-off, AC Milan fans were jolted by the omission of one name on their team sheet: Rafael Leao.

The Portuguese forward, who was named Serie A’s player of the season last season after leading Stefano Piolo’s side to victory, had propelled Milan past newly-crowned champions Napoli in the quarter-finals, best demonstrated by his wonderful assist in the second leg. However, Leao suffered a thigh injury just 11 minutes into Saturday’s match against Lazio, leaving him out of the first leg entirely, despite practicing on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old is pivotal to Pioli’s assault and has been linked with a couple fellow European giants for good reason. He was intended to be the thorn in Inter’s side, as he had been in September, when he scored twice and assisted once in a 3-2 win. However, Leao’s absence from the front line was the least of Milan’s concerns following a horrific first 18 minutes.

2. Fine wines of Milan

Remember Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Premier League fans? They still have it, by the way. Inter awarded them the early bragging rights as the away side on the night, despite being supported by 7,000 ‘visiting’ fans.

Simeone Inzaghi’s men took the lead after eight minutes when former Manchester City striker Dzeko, 37, smashed home a superbly-taken volley from a Hakan Calhanoglu corner, easily holding off opponent Davide Calabria. Before Milan could regroup, it was 2-0 as ex-Manchester United player Mkhitaryan, 34, fired an impressive strike past Mike Maignan thanks to superb work from Federico Dimarco, who also contributed his sixth assist of the Champions League season.

The San Siro was astonished, as were the millions of people watching on television. Inter’s best was on display, with quick attacking interplay highlighted by the lively Lautaro Martinez besting Milan on all ends, and it was all too much for Ismael Bennacer. The Algerian midfielder, a former Arsenal player, was forced off after limping shortly after Inter’s second goal.

Calhanoglu rattled the post from long range between Bennacer’s initial gesture to the bench and his substitution for the more attack-minded Junior Messias, as Nicolo Barrella and Mkhitaryan each had a chance on the rebound. It was the most exciting first leg of a Champions League semi-final in recent memory, and it only got more dramatic from there.

3. VAR in Question

While Milan gained a foothold as the first half progressed, Inter remained dangerous and went in for the kill just after Calabria came closest to pulling a goal back. Martinez was brought down in the box by Simon Kjaer and Fikayo Tomori, and the Argentine forward collapsed after Kjaer looked to pull his shirt.

Referee Jesus Gil called a penalty, giving Inter a wonderful opportunity to make it 3-0 and even conclude the tie there and then. VAR, despite what was stated. Replays revealed that there was little contact with Martinez, and after checking the pitch-side monitor, Gil reversed his earlier judgement, rescinding Kjaer’s yellow card, much to the relief of Piolo, his players, and every Milan fan.

Rio Ferdinand, who was on punditry duty for BT Sport at the time, was taken aback by the revised judgement, calling it a “stonewall” penalty. Pat Nevin, however, disagreed, telling BBC 5Live that “he absolutely tried to con the referee.” He pushed himself down as he felt a hand on his waist. “I am overjoyed that the referee changed his mind.”

Although there was plenty of action on the field, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the fantastic atmosphere at the still-standing San Siro. The stadium, which is scheduled to be razed in 2027 to make way for a new one, might have been packed 26 times over tonight, according to reports from Italy.

The commotion began two hours before kick-off and never stopped, whether it was passionate chanting from fans or thunderous pyrotechnics. The San Siro was packed with 75,532 supporters, and it was a sight to behold for those who were fortunate enough to be there.

Perhaps we won’t discover the legendary image from the 2005 semi-finals, in which Marco Materazzi enjoys a moment with competitor Rui Costa while peering into the smoke- – but take nothing away from this night in 2023. Luckily enough, we get to do it all again next Tuesday. 

5. Inter’s one foot in the final

Inter are the last Italian club to win the Champions League, and after 13 years of ups and downs, the Nerazzurri are on the verge of their first final since their famous 2010 success under Jose Mourinho. While they are unlikely to be favorites against either Manchester City or Real Madrid, Inzaghi’s team demonstrated that they are no pushovers despite finishing fourth in Serie A.

Milan looked like a team 20 points behind Inter in the league table, not two. It’s not quite a miracle, but Pioli and company must appeal to the heavens for help before round two.