Champions League semi-finals: Inter takes a big step towards the final in the derby

Inter Milan dominated the semi-finals of the Champions League against AC Milan and now have the best chance of reaching the final in Istanbul.

Inter won the first leg against local rivals 2-0 (2-0) on Wednesday (May 10th, 2023). Edin Džeko (8th minute) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (11th) scored in the “Derby della Madonnina” for Inter to an “away win”. The second leg will take place again next Tuesday in San Siro. In the other semi-final, Real Madrid and Manchester City drew 1-1, with the final taking place in Istanbul on June 10.

“From the first minute we played with the will to win”Mkhitaryan said on Amazon Prime. “But it’s not over yet, we need to prepare as best we can for the second leg.” Edin Dzeko said: “It doesn’t happen every year to play a derby in the semi-finals of the Champions League. We prepared well for it, we were focused until the end and it paid off.”

Inter well deserved lead with a powerful start

Inter had deservedly taken the lead in the first half. Hakan Calhanoglu took a corner from the left into the penalty area, where Edin Džeko beat Davide Calabria and shot the ball powerfully into the goal from six meters (8′). Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored twice in the 11th minute: Federico Dimarco brought in a low cross from the left and Calhanoglu let the ball through for Mkhitaryan, who converted the ball free in front of goalkeeper Mike Maignan. “They were more greedy, accepted the duels. We were just spectators”said Malick Thiaw from AC Milan at DAZN.

Calhanoglu hit the post a little later, Mkhitaryan missed the rebound free-standing (16′). Inter could have led even higher at the break. “Being two goals down in the first 15 minutes is like a slap in the face”said Milan’s Fikayo Tomori. “There was a bit of unrest in the team. That can’t happen in a game like this.” Milan was slow to stabilize and almost faced a penalty kick. But after referee Jesús Gil Manzano from Spain initially awarded a penalty in the 31st minute in a duel between Milan’s Simon Kjaer and Inter’s Lautaro Martínez, he corrected himself according to the pictures.

Milan is getting stronger, but doesn’t score anymore

The second half lacked the pace of the first for a long time. Inter withdrew. Substitute Junior Messias had a first chance for AC Milan, but he missed the goal by a wide margin (51st). Džeko pushed the ball just wide of the goal on the other side and thus missed the 3-0 for Inter (53rd).

Milan were particularly close in the 63rd minute when Olivier Giroud saved Sandro Tonali, whose deflected shot hit the post. It was Milan’s last major period of pressure. As a result, Inter brought the game to the finish with ease. Inter coach Simone Inzaghi warned: “We know we have the advantage, but we still have a lot of work to do to make a dream come true.” Inter’s Francesco Acerbi also said: “We scored two goals tonight, they can score two goals on Tuesday. It would be a mistake to think about the final already.”

Milan coach Stefano Pioli said: “We have to take the positive aspects of the second half with us. We had chances to get back into the game. We have to improve in the second leg.”

Serie A: Both clubs in long-distance duel for fourth place

AC Milan now plays in Serie A at Spezia Calcio on Saturday (6 p.m.). Inter also meet Sassuolo Calcio on Saturday (8.45 p.m.). “Against Sassuolo we have to be good at restoring our physical and mental strength”, said Inter coach Inzaghi. Both Milan clubs are in direct competition to qualify for the Champions League in their own league. Inter are currently fourth with 63 points, the last place leading to the Champions League. Milan are two points behind in fifth.

Both clubs still have the elegant detour to win the title in the Champions League and thus secure their place there in the coming season. If the Champions League winners come from Milan and finish in the top four, fifth place in the table would not benefit – the double place would go back to UEFA.