In a flash, Inter were 2-0 up and one leg into their first UCL final since 2010. A lax and shambolic first half performance from AC Milan allowed the Nerazzurri to score two stunning goals and probably should have added more.
Milan were lucky to have escaped the first half with just a 2 goal deficit, especially because the referee overturned a penalty decision that was initially in favour of the away side
Edin Dzeko volleyed home directly from a corner kick after just 7 minutes to silence AC Milan fans. The Bosnian had enough to overpower David Calabria and give his side the lead.
A slashing Federico Dimarco pass from the left-hand side in a quick Inter Milan break created a beautiful chance for Inter to double their lead, and former Manchester United star Henrikh Mkhitaryan was on hand to smash home a sweet strike past the helpless Mike Maignan.
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Inter could have had a third from a sliced, swerving, stinging shot from Turkish star Håkan Calhanoglu, but that effort hit the inside of the right bar, much to AC Milan’s delight.
It looked like Inter would run away with the game, with efforts from Mkhitaryan and Barella just before a penalty decision in favour of Inter was overturned. Milan were lucky to have escaped the first half with just a 2 goal deficit.
Milan Missed Rafael Leão
AC Milan looked better in the second half, and created some good chances. Brahim Diaz came close, but it was Tonali’s effort late on that could have boosted the Rossonerri’s chances of reaching a UCL final since 2007, but his low effort was denied by the bar late on.
AC Milan missed the pace, energy, creativity and decisiveness of Rafael Leão, who picked up an injury over the weekend. Inter Milan will have more fans in the stadium for the second leg, and they will be hoping that helps them keep Milan off their lead to head into the UCL Final.