AC Milan vs Inter LIVE: Result and reaction from Champions League semi-final as Inter take control of tie
AC Milan 0-2 Inter: A flying start by Inter means they have one foot in the final ahead of the second leg
Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan both found the back of the net as Inter Milan claimed the advantage in their Champions League semi-final against AC Milan with a 2-0 first-leg win at San Siro.
Inter came out of the blocks in rapid fashion taking their city rivals by surprise with two goals inside the first 11 minutes. They could easily have put the tie to bed after a dominant first-half display which saw Hakan Calhanoglu hit the post and VAR overturn a penalty decision.
Despite their woeful start, Milan improved after the break and will be grateful to still be in with a shout of defeating the 2010 champions in the second leg.
Relive the action from the Milan derby as AC Milan and Inter clash in the Champions League:
AC Milan vs Inter
Rossoneri boss Sefano Pioli had a spell as Inter boss in the 2016/17 campaign, while opposite number Simone Inzaghi’s older brother Filippo spent 11 years as a player sporting Milan colours.
He lifted the Champions League trophy on two occasions during his time with the club, scoring twice in the 2007 victory against Liverpool.
Pre-match thoughts from Simone Inzaghi
Simone Inzaghi, Inter’s head coach said: "We arrive at the first leg in good spirits.
“We will need to use our heads and our hearts. I have no doubts about our hearts, but we will have to use our heads since there will be setbacks along the way.
“The race will last 180 minutes and we mustn’t forget it."
Pre-match thoughts from Stefano Pioli
Milan coach Stefano Pioli spoke to the media earlier in the week and explained how he is preparing his side to take on local rivals Inter tonight.
"It will take great teamwork, as we have seen in the last four Champions League matches.” he said, “To get an exceptional result you have to do an extraordinary job and we will try.
“I hope I have managed to convey to the players above all the happiness and enthusiasm we must have in preparing for the match."
AC Milan vs Inter
Inter have won the last two meetings between the sides, triumphing 3-0 in the Italian Super Cup on 18th January with strikes from Federico Dimarco, Edin Džeko and Lautaro Martínez.
The Argentine international was integral again when the teams faced each other again on 5th February, netting the 34th-minute winner.
AC Milan vs Inter team changes
Stefano Pioli makes two changes to the AC Milan side that faced Lazio at the weekend. Junior Messias drops to the bench with Alexis Saelemaekers coming in. Brahim Diaz also replaces Rafael Leao who is too injured to feature in the matchday squad.
There are three changes to the Inter team that beat Roma last time out. Simone Inzaghi brings in Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to replace Marcelo Brozovic, Joaquin Correa and Romelu Lukaku.
AC Milan vs Inter line-ups
AC Milan XI: Maignan, Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, T. Hernandez, Krunic, Tonali, Bennacer, Saelemaekers, Giroud, Brahim Diaz
Inter XI: Onana, Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni, Dumfries, Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu, Barella, Dimarco, Martinez, Dzeko
AC Milan are back – but not as how you remember them
The European Cup is approaching its 70th birthday and only one city has produced two clubs who have won it. Not Madrid or Manchester or London. Definitely not Rome or Paris or Berlin, each still awaiting its first, but Milan. Two of the first four winners were AC Milan and Inter. They were two of the four between 2007 and 2010, too.
Since then, nothing. As recently as 2015-16, neither was even in Europe. Now they are in the Champions League’s last four, albeit with the caveat that there is a chance neither even finishes in Serie A’s top four. A glamour game this week also has the feel of a throwback fixture. It is the 236th derby di Milano. Four of the previous 235 were in the Champions League: two in the 2005 quarter-finals, two in the 2003 semi-finals.
Then Milan were a team with imperial grandeur, with a kind of elegant, aristocratic superiority that meant they didn’t need to run that match. Now manager Stefano Pioli has described Milan as “a project... to invest in young, talented players”. Then it was the natural home of the rich and famous, now Pioli has the youngest team in Serie A.
AC Milan are back – but not as how you remember them
For years, the term ‘Galactico’ felt as applicable to Milan than Real Madrid – but those days are gone. Instead, astute business has offered a road back to the Champions League semi-finals
AC Milan vs Inter
AC Milan have failed to score in the last two meetings between these sides.
If the Rossoneri draw a blank tonight, it will be their longest run without a goal against their city rivals since a run of three fixtures between October 1979 and September 1980.
Leao a doubt for Milan
AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli says he will make a late call on Rafael Leao’s selection after the Portugal winger suffered a muscle injury against Lazio.
Leao has 13 goals and 10 assists in all competitions this season but was forced off after just 12 minutes at the weekend.
"In the morning Rafa and the doctor will tell me his condition. If he is well he will be called up, otherwise not," said Pioli. "If the test is clean he can play. If it is not clean he cannot play - either from the start or the end."
Giroud ‘more motivated than ever’
AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud says he is "more motivated than ever" as he attempts to win a second Champions League title at the age of 36.
The Frenchman was an unused substitute in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Manchester City in the 2021 final and left the Blues that summer to join Milan.
"I’m [nearly] 37 years old, but I have the same motivations as a young boy," he said, "I’m more motivated than ever. It’s a great opportunity to win the Champions League.
"A derby is always a special match. I am very proud of this Milan team and we hope to do something great tomorrow."
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