AC Milan 0-2 Internazionale – Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan fire Inter to first leg lead in pulsating clash

Inter Milan stunned cross-city rivals AC Milan with an early onslaught to emerge from the first leg of their Champions League semi-final with a 2-0 lead.

It was 2-0 within 11 minutes; Edin Dzeko opened the scoring with a fine volley at a corner, before Henrikh Mkhitaryan was afforded too much space and able to saunter into the box then power a shot past Mike Maignan.

It could have been even worse for Milan as Maignan was beaten by a Hakan Calhanoglu drive five minutes later, but the ball came back off the post, plus Inter had a first-half penalty taken away by a VAR review.

Milan were better in the second half but badly missed the injured Rafael Leao and could not find a goal.

Sandro Tonali came closest when he struck the post, but there was no onslaught from the ‘home’ team and Andre Onana only had to make one save in the Inter goal – a routine one at that.

In truth a third Inter goal felt more likely and Dzeko almost provided it, but was denied by Maignan who dove at the striker’s feet to thwart a one-on-one.

Milan will have to play an awful lot better in six days’ time to stand any chance of advancing to play Real Madrid or Manchester City in the final.

TALKING POINT – Inzaghi’s faith in Inter old guard pays off

Dzeko is 37 and Mkhitaryan 34. Both were brought back into the starting line-up by Simone Inzaghi and both repaid that faith.

Dzeko ostensibly was picked over Romelu Lukaku and showed why with a well-taken goal and good all-around display. Mkhitaryan’s workrate ensured Marcelo Brozovic was not missed – Inter decisively won the midfield battle – and his guile was showcased in scoring the second goal.

Milan were very disappointing and their shortcomings will be dissected heavily in the coming week, but Inter deserve credit and in particular Inzaghi, who set his side up perfectly to exploit Milan weaknesses. Inter have now won each of the last three editions of the Derby della Madonnina.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Edin Dzeko (Inter Milan)

His goal – an excellent volley while holding off and outfoxing Davide Calabria – set the tone for a domineering Inter performance which had a whiff of men against boys.

PLAYER RATINGS

AC Milan: Maignan 7, Calabria 5, Kjaer 5, Tomori 5, Hernandez 4, Tonali 5, Krunic 4, Bennacer 5, Saelemaekers 4, Diaz 4, Giroud 4. Subs: Messias 5, Thiaw 5, Origi 5, Pobega 6, Kalulu 5.

Inter Milan: Onana 6, Dunfries 6, Darmian 7, Acerbi 6, Bastoni 7, Dimarco 8, Barella 7, Calhanoglu 7, Mkhitaryan 7, Martinez 6, Dzeko 8. Subs: Brozovic 6, Lukaku 6, de Vrij 6, Correa 6, Gagliardini 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

DZEKO SCORES SPECIAL OPENER 8′ – Dzeko volleys an in-swinging corner into the roof of the net as Calabria tries and fails to muscle him out of the way. A super finish.

INTER DOUBLE LEAD 11′ – Dimarco makes up good ground on the left then plays an inside ball which is dummied to run to Mkhitaryan. It opens up for the Armenian, who surges into the box before slotting past Maignan.

INTER HIT POST 16′ – Inter almost get a third as Calhanoglu eyes up a loose ball and hits a fierce strike from 30 yards which rattles the post. Maignan was beaten.

MASSIVE MAIGNAN SAVE 53′ – Milan’s midfield parts and Bastoni is able to waltz all the way to the edge of the box, then slips Dzeko one-on-one with Maignan, but the onrushing goalkeeper makes a super save.

TONALI HITS POST 62′ – Diaz finds Giroud in the box and he unselfishly lays the ball off to Tonali, who shoots low and hard but hits the post.

KEY STAT

Inter have won each of the last three meetings between these clubs, with the aggregate score 6-0.