AC MILAN INTO THE COPPA ITALIA FINAL
Coppa Italia
AC Milan have had Inter's number this season. The Diavolo wavered in the opening stages but battled until the end to beat the Nerazzurri by three goals to nil and reach the Coppa Italia final. After the 1-1 draw in the first leg, the second began with drizzly conditions overhead and with an aggressive start from our opponents. Inzaghi's side appeared to have started the better of the two teams, finding space on the counter in their 3-4-3. And yet, it was AC Milan who struck first on the night, as Jović headed home from a brilliant cross from the left-hand side. Conceição's men continue to perform on the front foot.
After the break, AC Milan looked at their best: they stayed compact and were well balanced. Luka Jović starred with a striker's brace as he was clinical in finishing off the team's hard work. Theo Hernández and Reijnders also played important roles: the pair locked it down when Inter tried to up the ante and also caused issues for the Nerazzurri's defence. The Dutchman then added the Rossoneri's third goal. It was a complete performance, which has taken AC Milan deservedly through to the final of the Coppa Italia and will be sure to give the team a boost for the remaining weeks in the season. The final is on 14 May at the Olimpico in Rome.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM INTER v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
The first half of this derby began with real intensity. After ten minutes, Inter came close from a quick counter-attack. Theo was caught out of position as he tried to close down Barella, leaving Darmian space to run into, but the latter failed to hit the target. In the 22nd minute, a quick free-kick caught AC Milan off guard, with Dimarco striking the bar for the hosts. The Nerazzurri threatened again in the 33rd minute: Barella played it over the top and Taremi knocked it down for Lautaro, who failed to keep the ball down. AC Milan seemed to be struggling but then found the net with their first real opportunity: Jiménez sent in a cross for Jović to head home the opener. Even though Inter had created more chances, it was us who took a lead into the break.
AC Milan struck another big blow at the start of the second half: a goalmouth scramble ensued from a Theo Hernández corner, and Jović reacted quickest to double our advantage. Inter tried to respond as Lautaro flashed a shot wide, while Inzaghi made four substitutions in an attempt to turn things around. In the 68th minute, De Vrij headed towards goal from a Çalhanoğlu corner, but Maignan made a brilliant save. The Rossoneri were defending well and continued to look a threat on the break, first coming close through Leão and then sealing the match through a precise left-footed shot from Reijnders. There was simply no way back for the Nerazzurri as AC Milan sealed their spot in the Coppa Italia final.
MATCH DETAILS
INTER 0-3 AC MILAN
INTER (3-5-2): J. Martínez; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Darmian (83' Correa), Barella (53' Frattesi), Asllani (53' Çalhanoğlu), Mkhitaryan, Dimarco (53' Zalewski); L. Martínez, Taremi (53' Arnautović). Subs.: Sommer, Di Gennaro; Acerbi, Carlos Augusto, Cocchi, Pavard; Berenbruch. Coach: Inzaghi.
AC MILAN (3-4-3): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia (59' Thiaw), Pavlović; Jiménez, Fofana, Reijnders (87' João Félix), Hernández (87' Bartesaghi); Pulisic (78' Loftus-Cheek), Jović (78' Abraham), Leão. Subs.: Sportiello, Torriani; Florenzi, Terracciano; Bondo, Musah; Chukwueze, Gimenez, Sottil. Coach: Conceição.
Referee: Doveri from Rome.
Goals: 36' and 50' Jović (M), 86' Reijnders (M).
Booked: 71' Çalhanoğlu (I)
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