MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 03: Edin Dzeko of FC Internazionale scores his goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 03, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli - Inter/Inter via Getty Images)

Milan 3 - 2 Inter

Team

— Sep 3rd 2022

5 MIN READING

Despite taking the lead through Brozovic, the Nerazzurri lose the derby following Maignan's second-half saves

MILAN 3-2 INTER

Goalscorers: 21' Brozovic (I), 28' Leao (M), 54' Giroud (M), 60' Leao (M), 67' Dzeko (I)

MILAN (4-2-3-1): 16 Maignan; 2 Calabria (24 Kjaer 84'), 20 Kalulu, 23 Tomori, 19 Hernandez; 8 Tonali (32 Pobega 84'), 4 Bennacer; 30 Messias (, 56 Saelemaekers 73'), 90 De Ketelaere (10 Diaz 63'), 17 Leao; 9 Giroud (27 Origi 73'). Substitutes: 1 Tatarusanu, 83 Mirante, 5 Ballo Touré, 7 Adli, 14 Bakayoko, 21 Dest, 28 Thiaw, 40 Vranckx, 46 Gabbia. Coach: Stefano Pioli. INTER (3-5-2): 1 Handanovic; 37 Skriniar, 6 De Vrij (33 D'Ambrosio 84'), 95 Bastoni (32 Dimarco 63'); 2 Dumfries, 23 Barella (22 Mkhitaryan 63'), 77 Brozovic, 20 Calhanoglu, 36 Darmian (8 Gosens 84'); 10 Lautaro, 11 Correa (9 Dzeko 63'). Substitutes: 21 Cordaz, 24 Onana, 5 Gagliardini, 12 Bellanova, 14 Asllani, 15 Acerbi, 45 Carboni. Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

Booked: Dumfries (I), Hernandez (M), Giroud (M), De Ketelaere (M), Tonali (M) Added time: 1' - 5' Note: Simone Inzaghi booked (I) Referee: Chiffi. Assistants: Meli, Peretti. Fourth official: Marcenaro. VAR: Di Paolo. VAR assistant: Paganessi.

Inter suffered a defeat in the Milan derby today, with the Rossoneri running out 3-2 winners thanks to a Leao brace and a goal from Giroud. A second-half fightback wasn’t enough for the Nerazzurri, who took the lead through Brozovic before falling 3-1 behind. Dzeko’s introduction made a difference for Inter, who pulled one back and then came close through Lautaro and Calhanoglu. Both of their efforts were saved by Maignan, who prevented Inzaghi’s men from scoring a third.

It was only matchday five, but tension, expectations and the desire to cheer, shout and play were all there, as is always the case with the Milan derby. The atmosphere at the stadium, the choreographies, the gazes of the fans and players before kick-off: none of this was missing. The opening exchanges were tense and the first shot on target came on the 17-minute mark as Leao tested Handanovic. It had been a real battle until that point, with the midfielders coming face to face and Dumfries and Hernandez clashing and earning yellow cards. The Nerazzurri were trying to move the ball along the ground with the aim of advancing up the pitch and opening up shooting opportunities for the team’s midfielders.

In the 21st minute, Inter took the lead with a brilliantly worked move, cutting the Milan defence completely open in the process. The ball was played forward to Lautaro, who protected it brilliantly before finding Correa. The Argentine then threaded it through to Brozovic, who made no mistake in slotting past Maignan.

The goal, however, stirred Milan into life. The match changed dramatically as the Rossoneri controlled proceedings for the rest of the half. With Giroud leading from the front, the hosts pressed Inter and caused the visitors all sorts of problems. Inzaghi’s men were struggling with their build-up play, losing too many balls and struggling to deal with the runs of the Rossoneri players. The equaliser arrived in this manner as Tonali intercepted a loose Inter pass and picked out Leao, who did the rest. 1-1.

Inter failed to come up with a response as Milan piled on the pressure. Further passing mistakes led to chances for Tonali and Hernandez as the home side attempted to complete a first-half turnaround.

No further goals arrived before the break, but the second half started as the first one had ended. Composure was lacking from Inter’s game as they struggled to put any meaningful moves together. Then, the Rossoneri struck twice in the space of six minutes. First, Leao pulled the ball back for Giroud, who scored with his left foot (54’); then, on the hour mark, Leao was able to dribble past Bastoni and De Vrij and net Milan’s third. It was a huge double blow but a fair scoreline at that point.

However, Inter then rediscovered their courage and determination and started to threaten. Inzaghi sent on Dzeko and the Bosnian made an immediate impact, meeting Darmian’s low cross and reducing the arrears. It was a finish that re-energised the Nerazzurri fans and gave Milan cause for concern.

For the next 15 minutes, Inter laid siege on the Rossoneri goal. Lautaro fired over with his left before being denied by Maignan, who was able to keep out his header. It seemed like an equaliser was on the horizon: Dzeko forced Maignan into another stop, while the French goalkeeper then made a flying save to tip Calhanoglu’s rocket behind. That was in the 77th minute, with Inter struggling to really threaten the Rossoneri goal thereafter. The game fizzled out for the Nerazzurri, who tasted defeat on matchday five.