Inter Milan vs AC Milan LIVE: Result and reaction as Martinez goal sends Inter into Champions League final
Inter 1-0 Milan (3-0 agg): Inter triumphed in the Milan derby to reach the European showpiece
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Your support makes all the difference.Inter Milan reached the Champions League final in competent fashion with a controlled and clinical display against city rivals AC Milan.
Carrying a two-goal advantage into the second leg the Nerazzurri didn’t need to overly exert themselves in attack and instead focused on winning the midfield battle to cut out the supply lines to Milan’s returning star Rafael Leao. The first half was a tight affair with both goalkeeper called into action, Andre Onana smothered Brahim Diaz’s early shot and Mike Maignan denied Edin Dzeko.
The half-time break came and went but Milan didn’t look like breaking through Inter’s solid backline. The introduction of Romelu Lukaku then ended Milan’s hopes of a comeback. A selfless centre-forward display ensured he set up Lautaro Martinez for the only goal of the game and as Inter extended their aggregate lead to three the Champions League final dream became reality.
Relive all the action as Inter and Milan clashed in the Champions League semi-final:
Uefa rebuts claim Istanbul in doubt as Champions League final host after election
UEFA insisted Friday that the Champions League final will be played in Istanbul, hitting back at a newspaper report that claims the European soccer body has explored Lisbon as a standby option if there is turmoil in Turkey after this weeekend’s elections.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in a close race to extend his 20-year grip on power. He is seeking a third term in Sunday’s election.
The Daily Mail in London claimed Uefa made an “informal approach” to the Portuguese soccer federation in case any post-election unrest put Istanbul in doubt to host the final on June 10.
UEFA rebuts claim Istanbul in doubt as Champions League final host after election
UEFA insists the Champions League final will be played in Istanbul no matter the outcome of this weekend's Turkish elections
The Champions League final
Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium will host the Champions League final on Saturday 10th June. Whoever wins tonight’s tie Inter or AC Milan will be the designated away team against Real Madrid or Manchester City.
The winners gain a place in the 2023/24 Champions League group stage, if they have not qualified via their domestic competition.
Inzaghi dreaming about Champions League final
Inter coach, Simone Inzaghi, spoke in the build-up to tonight’s encounter about how he is dreaming that his team will reach the Champions League final.
“This is one of the most important matches in Inter’s history,” he said, “We have to play with our heads and hearts to achieve our dream of reaching the final.
“The first leg was 2-0 but Milan are always formidable and have great players.”
Inter vs AC Milan prediction
A draw is enough to ensure Inter’s progression through to the final and they will use their already established two-goal cushion to keep Milan quiet for the majority of the game.
Inter 1-1 Milan (3-1 agg.)
Inter vs AC Milan predicted line-ups
Inter XI: Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Dzeko, Martínez.
Milan XI: Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Kjær, Theo Hernández; Tonali, Krunić; Saelemaekers, Brahim Diaz, Leao; Giroud.
What is the early team news?
Inter were able to rest a number of their first choice side in the win over Sassuolo, with Lautaro Martinez, Hakan Calhanoglu and Alessandro Bastoni in line to return to Simone Inzaghi’s starting lineup. The manager is expected to name a lineup identical to the one that secured a 2-0 first leg lead.
Stefano Pioli should be boosted by the availability of Rafael Leao after the forward missed last week’s game due to a thigh injury. Junior Messias and Rade Krunic could also be fit to contend for selection.
How to watch Inter vs AC Milan
The second leg of the semi final is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Tuesday 16th May at their shared San Siro ground in Milan.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the game live on BT Sport 1 with coverage from 7pm BST. Subscribers can stream the action via the BT Sport app or online player.
Inter vs AC Milan
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action where Inter and AC Milan clash in the second leg of their semi-final tie.
Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan both scored in the first leg to give Simone Inzaghi’s a two-goal lead ahead of this evening’s clash meaning Inter are well placed to reach the final in June.
Milan lacked quality in the final third during the previous encounter but will be boosted by the return of forward Rafael Leao who has recovered from injury and will give the front line an injection of pace and power.
The winner of this tie will go on to face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in the final but who will it be? Can Inter see off the seven-time Champions League winners or will AC Milan mount a historic comeback against their local rivals?
Kick off for this one is a 8pm and we’ll bring you all the team news, build-up and updates from the San Siro.
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