Inter beat AC Milan in the semi-final second leg and are in the Champions League final – Martinez says it all

Inter Milan is looking forward to winning European football for the first time since 2010. The Nerazzurri also deservedly won the Champions League semi-final second leg against arch-rivals Milan 1-0 (0-0) and can dream of a handle in the final on June 10 in Istanbul. Inter’s rival is the winner of the Manchester City-Real Madrid match (first leg 1-1) on Wednesday.

In the legendary “Derby della Madonnina”, world champion Lautaro Martinez scored the celebrated goal of the evening (74) in front of 75,000 fans at the venerable Giuseppe Meazza stadium. Inter looked more mature and were not in danger. Simone Inzaghi’s side had already laid the foundation with a 2-0 victory in the first leg.

Inter’s return to the final after 13 years – when they won the title by beating Bayern Munich 2-0 – was a huge surprise. In the group stage, the 19-time Italian champions had no chance against Bayern Munich, but then improved in the knockout matches against Porto and Benfica Lisbon – and now against AC Milan.

On the other hand, Milan is going through a season to forget. The renewed qualification for the Champions League is difficult to achieve for the 2022 champion, in the cup he had already finished in the round of 16. Head coach Stefano Pioli is said to be rocking.

Milan lost the lead early on

Milan, who had won the previous two Champions League derbies (2003 in the semi-finals and 2005 in the quarter-finals), started lightly according to UEFA’s 221st duel between the two traditional clubs. After Theo Hernandez’s shot, Brahim Diaz (10th) had a great chance to take the lead, but it was saved by Andre Onana.

Milan, with German Under-21 player Malik Thiaw in the starting line-up, initially had more than one match, even if Rafael Leao initially hoped unable to set any accents. The Portuguese top scorer was injured in the first leg, which the Rossoneri lost 2-0, after 11 minutes. Liao only made his senior debut in the 38th minute, but missed the goal by a centimeter.

Martinez explains everything for Inter

Inter waited, skillfully slowing the pace and dominating the midfield around former Bundesliga player Hakan Calhanoglu. Former Wolfsburg player Edin Dzeko had the biggest chance shortly before the changeover, Mike Minnan’s header was brilliantly saved. “It’s an entertaining game, only goals are missed,” Prime expert Mario Gomez said at the break.

Nothing has changed after the change. He reacted calmly and barely allowed Milan to have a chance to attack. The “guests” did not find any way to put pressure on Inter. After 66 minutes, Inter Robin Gosens came on. The Germany international was also involved in Martinez’s goal.

(SID)