Inter blitzed their city rivals with two goals in the first 11 minutes.
Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored as Inter Milan took charge of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against AC Milan with a 2-0 first-leg win at San Siro.
Inter outscored their city rivals with two goals in the first 11 minutes and could easily put the tie to bed after a dominant first half.
Milan improved after the break but will be grateful to still be within reach of the 2010 champions after a disappointing performance in front of their home fans.
The fierce rivals have not met in the Champions League since the quarter-final meeting in 2005, which was ended after 73 minutes of the second leg when a section of Inter fans threw flares onto the pitch – one of which hit and injured the Milan goalkeeper. Dida.
Milan, bidding for an eighth European Cup trophy and a first final since their success in 2007, were dealt a blow before kick-off when star striker Rafael Leao ruled out with a muscle injury and were soon taken away by a blistering start from Simone Inzaghi. lateral.
Inter were in the lead after just eight minutes when former Manchester City striker Džeko outplayed Davide Calabria from Federico Dimarco’s corner and volleyed past a helpless Mike Maignano in the Milan goal from 12 yards.
And just three minutes later they had a second. Dimarco broke free down the left and slotted the ball across the box into the path of the onrushing Mkhitaryan, who slipped through the Milan defense and fired past Maignan.
The Rossoneri were all at sea and Inter came within inches of a third when former Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu struck a 25-yard strike against the post before Maignan blocked Mkhitaryan’s effort from close range.
There was a huge moment of relief for Stefano Pioli’s side after Inter were awarded a penalty in the 31st minute when Lautaro Martinez went down under a challenge from Simon Kjaer. But Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano was asked by VAR to review his decision and decided to overturn his original call.
Martinez headed wide before Denzel Dumfries failed to finish off Dimarco’s cross as Inter continued their utter dominance in the first half.
Milan started the second period much better. Brahim Diaz curled just wide from 20 yards and Junior Messias wasted a great chance as he pushed his way through on goal.
Dzeko was denied by a good one-on-one save from Maignano, but Milan’s improvement continued and substitute Divock Origi played a key role in setting up Sandro Tonali, whose strike flew wide of the left-hand post.
But Inter took the sting out of Milan’s revival and took a big step towards the final in Istanbul.
