Inter have reached their first UEFA Champions League final since 2010 following a 3-0. aggregate win over AC Milan.
Inter hosted Milan in a tense UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg this evening. Here is what went down at the San Siro
It was a steady dose of Milan in pressure in the opening minutes, as the Rossoneri came out with the desperation expected from a team two-goals behind in a semi-final tie.
Milan perhaps should have cut the deficit in half inside 15 minutes, but a point-blank chance was squandered by Brahim Díaz to let the hosts off the hook.
After weathering the early Milan storm, Inter regained control of the match and used their size advantage to win a war of attrition as the clock ticked past the half-hour mark.
Rafael Leão took some time to grow into the game, and came close to firing Milan into the lead on the night in the dying minutes of the first half, but his shot from the left-wing fizzed narrowly past the post.
Inter did their best to slow the proceedings to a crawl on the other side of the break, breaking up play at every available opportunity.
The tie was finally put to bed in the final 20 minutes, as Lautaro Martínez slotted home the opener, and Inter’s third in the tie from an acute angle to all but fire the Nerazzurri into the club’s first Champions League final since the 2009/10 season.
Inter player ratings
GK – Andre Onana – 7/10 – Made a crucial save early one.
CB – Matteo Darmian – 6/10 – He didn’t have as hard a time of it as you’d expect when up against Leao.
CB – Francesco Acerbi – 7/10 – Comfortably dealt with Giroud again.
CB – Alessandro Bastoni – 6/10 – Milan’s right flank didn’t gave a sniff all evening.
RM – Denzel Dumfries – 6/10 – Got forward well throughout.
CM – Nicolo Barella – 8/10 – Wholly dominated in the middle of the park.
CM – Hakan Calhanoglu – 7/10 – Another very good outing for the in-form midfielder.
CM – Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6/10 – Put in a shift until he was subbed off with an injury.
LM – Federico Dimarco – 6/10 – Worked hard.
ST – Lautaro Martinez – 9/10 – Scored a famous goal and was generally very, very good.
ST – Edin Dzeko – 6/10 – Held up play well.
Substitutes
Marcelo Brozovic – 7/10 – Inter were so, so composed in the middle when he came on.
Romelu Lukaku – 7/10 – Came on and set up a goal. His good form continues.
Robin Gosens – N/A.
Joaquin Correa – N/A.
Roberto Gagliardini – N/A.
Manager – Simone Inzaghi – 10/10 – Fielded the exact same team as the first leg, and guided Inter to a first Champions League final since 2010 by doing so. He’s done a wonderful job at San Siro.
Milan player ratings
GK – Mike Maignan – 6/10 – Made a good save in the first half, but perhaps should’ve done better with Martinez’s goal.
RB – Davide Calabria – 5/10 – The Milan captain didn’t get forward enough.
CB – Malik Thiaw – 6/10 – Battled well against Dzeko.
CB – Fikayo Tomori – 6/10 – A much-improved performances after a very underwhelming first leg showing.
LB – Theo Hernandez – 5/10 – Nearly scored the goal of the season in the first half. After that, he didn’t do a whole lot.
CM – Sandro Tonali – 7/10 – Milan’s best player. He gave it a real go but it wasn’t to be.
CM – Rade Krunic – 2/10 – Non-existent.
RM – Junior Messias – 3/10 – A Serie A player, but he simply isn’t good enough to play at this level.
AM – Brahim Diaz – 3/10 – Missed the chance.
LM – Rafael Leao – 5/10 – Quite clearly not fit enough to play, but played anyways.
ST – Olivier Giroud – 4/10 – Acerbi bested him once again.
Substitutes
Pierre Kalulu – 5/10.
Alexis Saelemaekers – N/A.
Divock Origi – N/A.
Manager – Stefano Pioli – 6/10 – He had to play Leao, and it didn’t pay off. Now the focus needs to be on sorting out Milan’s rather woeful recent league form.