- Serie A Milan rivals AC Milan and Inter Milan faced each other in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final
- It is the first time in over 13 years since any of the Milan clubs last played in the UCL semi-finals
- First-half goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan gave Inter a 2-0 advantage in the first leg
Inter Milan asserted their dominance in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against AC Milan with a commanding 2-0 victory at San Siro. Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were the heroes for Inter, both finding the back of the net early in the match. The result leaves Milan with an uphill battle in the second leg if they are to have any hope of reaching the final.
The match marked the first meeting between these bitter rivals in the Champions League since their infamous quarter-final clash in 2005. That encounter was marred by fan violence, which led to the abandonment of the second leg. This time, however, the focus was solely on the football, and Inter wasted no time in making their mark.
In just the eighth minute, Dzeko showcased his strength as he outmuscled Davide Calabria to meet Federico Dimarco’s corner with a powerful volley that left Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan with no chance. Three minutes later, Mkhitaryan doubled Inter’s lead with a well-taken goal, capitalizing on a pass from Dimarco and breezing past Milan’s defence.
Inter Milan forward Edin Dzeko celebrates after scoring the opener against AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday, May 10 2023. | PHOTO: Independent |
READ: Champions League: Milan derby awaits in the Semi-finals
The Rossoneri were caught off guard by Inter’s early onslaught and struggled to regain their composure throughout the first half. Inter could have easily extended their lead, with Hakan Calhanoglu hitting the post and Mkhitaryan being denied by Maignan. Milan were fortunate to avoid a penalty against them when VAR intervened and the referee overturned his initial decision after reviewing the incident involving Lautaro Martinez.
Milan showed signs of improvement after the break, with Brahim Diaz and Junior Messias both coming close to scoring. However, Dzeko and Inter continued to pose a threat and substitute Divock Origi played a crucial role in setting up Sandro Tonali, whose shot struck the post.
Ultimately, Inter managed to quell Milan’s resurgence and take a significant step towards securing a place in the final. The victory puts them in a commanding position going into the second leg and leaves Milan with a mountain to climb if they are to overturn the deficit.
For Milan, it was a disappointing performance in front of their home supporters, who were hoping for a better showing from their team. With their star forward Rafael Leao sidelined due to injury, Milan lacked the firepower to trouble Inter’s solid defence. They will need to regroup and come up with a different strategy for the second leg if they are to keep their hopes of a European triumph alive.
In contrast, Inter Milan can take great confidence from their commanding display. Simone Inzaghi’s side showcased their attacking prowess and defensive solidity, proving why they are considered one of the favourites to lift the Champions League trophy this season. While they will be wary of complacency in the return leg, they can be optimistic about their chances of reaching the final in Istanbul.
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