Inter Milan reached their first Champions League final in more than a decade with a 1-0 victory over city rivals AC Milan in the second leg of Tuesday’s semi-final, thereby scoring an overall victory 3- 0 in a match called “Euroderby”.
Lautaro Martinez’s goal in the 74th minute ended all hopes of a comeback for Milan
Inter took a 2-0 lead in the first leg semi-final, and Lautaro Martinez’s 74th-minute goal ended any hopes of a comeback for Milan. Several players from both teams were in tears when the final whistle blew, but for the Nerazzurri it was tears of happiness as they progressed to their first Champions League final since their crowning under Jose Mourinho. 2010. Inter players and staff celebrated long afterward, singing and dancing in front of their fans.
“It’s obviously a great feeling, a dream I’ve had with the boys since the draw,” said coach Simone Inzaghi. “We had to believe in ourselves and we succeeded through hard work and determination, no one offered us anything. We have come a long way with many difficulties. I think maybe from tomorrow we will realize more of what has been done. It’s been a great night for our fans, for our family, you couldn’t ask for more!”
Inter will face the team that holds the record of 14 championships, Real Madrid or another powerful opponent, Man.City, in the final on June 10 in Istanbul (Turkey). The second leg semi-final between them will take place on Wednesday, after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. “Whoever we meet, we’ll be out of luck, because they’re two really great teams with incredible quality,” Inzaghi laughed and said. “I will watch the game tomorrow, just like I watched the first leg. Obviously we will follow it closely.”
The Nerazzurri are happy to advance to their first Champions League final since being crowned under Jose Mourinho in 2010
For Milan, the wait continues. The last time they reached the Champions League final was in 2007, when they reached the last of their seven titles. “At the moment there is only disappointment, only disappointment because we could have reached the Champions League final,” said Milan coach Stefano Pioli. “But if we think last year we were eliminated in the group stage and this year we made it to the semi-finals, then we should be proud. But obviously we dream of reaching the final, we want to be in the final, we want to Ƅеат our opponents.”
Milan welcome back attacking star Rafael Leao, after he missed last week’s defeat with a thigh ι𝚗jᴜгy. The difference was immediately apparent when the Rossoneri played with high intensity, which they were sorely lacking in the first leg. Brahim Diaz soon tried his luck but the weak shot was easily saved by Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana. Leao then nearly put Milan ahead just before half-time, but his cornered shot grazed the post.
Inter also had chances to score, as Henrikh Mkhitaryan shot over the bar, while Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan had a superb reflex to save Edin Dzeko’s header from close range. And then the “host” also made the difference in the 74th minute, when Martinez entered the left side of the penalty area and coordinated with Romelu Lukaku – who came on for Dzeko less than 10 minutes earlier – before finishing in the area. close angle.
“The most unfortunate thing was the first 10 minutes of the first leg when we conceded two goals after three, four minutes. We played better today but we didn’t score,” added coach Pioli.