Coppa Italia clash between Inter and AC Milan ends goalless

 

The first leg, semi-final of the Coppa Italia between AC Milan and Inter Milan has ended in a goalless draw.

This means Milan would go through to the final with a score draw.

The visitors had the best chances through a Rafael Leao curler that forced a one-handed save from Samir Handanovic.

This means that the  0-0 ‘away’ draw is not a good first leg Coppa Italia semi-final result for Inter.

This is because the away goals rule applies with the Rossoneri technically the ‘home’ team at the San Siro.

Milan were without Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Simon Kjaer due to injury, with Sandro Tonali, suspended. The Nerazzurri, on the other hand, had a full squad to choose from.

Milan had won their last meeting with Inter. The Serie A derby which was held on February 5 was decided by an Olivier Giroud brace. The result blew the Scudetto race wide open.

Milan were the ones to benefit from the first two chances. Handanovic stopped Alexis Saelemaekers’s effort after a high press that forced an error. Theo Hernandez then drilled inches wide.

Edin Dzeko was stopped from scoring as Alessio Romagnoli got a crucial header to stop the Bosnian nodding in Ivan Perisic’s cross from a yard.

Rade Krunic’s shot from a Saelemaekers assist was deflected over the bar.

Substitute Pierre Kalulu intercepted Dzeko tapping from Dumfries ball across the face of goal, then Milan countered for Junior Messias, who drilled wide.

After two months of lay off, Joaquin Correa returned, while Robin Gosens got his debut in the Inter jersey.

Correa returned while Robin Gosens got his debut in the Inter jersey.

With another draw, Inter continues their search for a goal.

In 25 Coppa Italia meetings between them, Milan have won 10, drawn seven while Inter won eight.

Inter had one win, two draws, and three defeats in all competitions in February.

 

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed