AC Milan vs Inter final score, result, highlights as Dzeko and Mkhitaryan give Nerazzurri Champions League advantage

Dom Farrell

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AC Milan vs Inter final score, result, highlights as Dzeko and Mkhitaryan give Nerazzurri Champions League advantage image

Inter took charge of their Champions League semifinal against city rivals Milan as early goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan fired them to a 2-0 victory at San Siro.

A raucous atmosphere awaited the teams for the first leg of a colossal Derby della Madonnina double-header, but it was Inter who settled quickest in their "away" game.

Veteran striker Dzeko held off Milan skipper Davide Calabria and dispatched an imperious back-post volley from Hakan Calhanoglu's left-wing corner before Lautaro Martinez cleverly dummied Federico Dimarco's cross for Mkhitaryan to crown a flowing move.

Milan, who were without star attacker Rafael Leao and lost Ismael Bennacer to an early injury, were all at sea defensively as Calhanoglu clattered the post from long range in the 16th minute.

Stefano Pioli's beleaguered side were given a lifeline of sorts after the half-hour. Martinez went down under a challenge from Simon Kjaer to win a penalty, only for the decision to be overturned after a VAR review.

A combination of Milan’s relative improvement and Inter taking their foot off the pedal amounted to a less-eventful second half, where Sandro Tonali’s shot against the outside of the post was the closest the Rossoneri came on a punishing and visceral night.

CHECK OUT THE SPORTING NEWS' RECAP OF THE MATCH IN THE TWITTER SPACE BELOW

AC Milan vs Inter final score

  Fulltime  Goalscorers 
MIL 0  
INT 2 Dzeko (8), Mkhitaryan (11)

Lineups:

AC Milan (4-2-3-1, right to left): 16-Mike Maignan (GK) — 2-Davide Calabria (20-Pierre Kalulu), 24-Simon Kjaer (28-Malick Thiaw), 23-Fikayo Tomori, 19-Theo Hernandez — 33-Rade Krunic, 8-Sandro Tonali — 56-Alexis Saelemaekers (27-Divock Origi), 4-Ismael Bennacer (30-Junior Messias), 10-Brahim Diaz (32-Tommaso Pobega) — 9-Olivier Giroud

Inter (3-5-2, right to left): 24-Andre Onana (GK) — 36-Matteo Darmian, 15-Francesco Acerbi, 95-Alessandro Bastoni — 2-Denzel Dumfries, 22-Henrikh Mkhitaryan (77-Marcelo Brozovic), 20-Hakan Calhanoglu (5-Roberto Gagliardini), 23-Nicolo Barella, 32-Federico Dimarco (6-Stefan de Vrij) — 10-Lautaro Martinez (11-Joaquin Correa), 9-Edin Dzeko (90-Romelu Lukaku)

Dzeko puts Lukaku debate to bed

Heading into the game, the big selection query for Inter boss Simone Inzaghi was whether to select Dzeko or Romelu Lukaku to partner Martinez. Lukaku and Martinez enjoyed a famous alliance during Inter’s 2020/21 title run and Dzeko was widely viewed as an underwhelming replacement when the Belgium striker completed his ill-fated move to Chelsea.

But the diminished version of Lukaku back at Inter on loan is no match for Dzeko in this mood. The 37-year-old used his vast experience to his advantage to lead overmatch Milan centre-backs Kjaer and Fikayo Tomori a merry dance. The opening goal showcased strength, imagination and impeccable technique, while Mkhitaryan’s second would not have been possible without Martinez’s dummy and Dzeko’s run pulling Tomori out of position.

Dzeko now has 14 goals for the season on the back of a brace against Verona in his previous outing. Against Milan, he and Martinez played as a genuine strike partnership, providing the sort of dual attacking threat you rarely see in the elite game today. They would pose enough questions of Real Madrid or Dzeko’s old employers Manchester City in the final.

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Video available in the UK

Milan tactics backfire in Derby della Madonnina nightmare for Pioli

When Milan got past Tottenham in gutsy fashion in the round of 16, Pioli switched to a back three. His favoured 4-2-3-1 was back in play to stun Napoli but, with an alternative setup to call upon, his logic looked flawed before a ball was kicked on Wednesday night.

Milan were set up to play expansively but without Leao’s electrifying talents they lacked the attacking conviction to make that stick. Instead of finding themselves pinned back, Inter were able to impose themselves on the contest. In Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu and Nicolo Barrella they had three fine ballplayers in midfield who always had a man advantage.

That left Tomori and Kjaer badly exposed to runs from deep while trying to grapple with Dzeko and Martinez. Mkhitaryan’s goal provided a stark demonstration of one team elevated by their tactical setup and another sent on the road to ruin by their strategy.

What was VAR doing in Milan vs Inter?

It had no bearing on the final result but there were some worrying applications of the video review system that should concern UEFA at the business end of its flagship tournament. Sure, Martinez did not need too much encouragement to go down, but Kjaer made contact with his leg and grabbed at the Argentina forward for good measure as he flailed in his wake with Tomori already on the ground.

Milan were in the sort of defensive mess that leads to penalties. It didn’t look like Kjaer had too much cause for complaint and the video assistant’s assertion that he saw enough on the replays to overrule his on-field colleague was a perplexing moment.

VAR isn’t there to be used as a tool to re-referee matches. It is there for when a player gives an opponent a punch in the ribs on the blindside of the on-field official, as was the case when Rade Krunic clashed with Alessandro Bastoni at a 76th-minute corner. There was a check for a possible red card but Krunic was not punished. Answers on a postcard.

Video available in the UK

AC Milan vs Inter as it happened from the Champions League semi final

Fulltime: That's a wrap. Inter utterly, utterly dominant. Their only regret might not be claiming a more handsome victory after Dzeko and Mkhitaryan's early goals. Milan will hope to have Rafael Leao back in six days' time but overturning this might even be too much to ask of his considerable skills. Thanks for joining us for part one.

90th minute+2: Origi gets the flick on and the ball falls to Pobega. He hits it well enough but it's straight at Onana.

90th minute: There will be four minutes of additional time. Inter are looking to run down the clock at every opportunity and Milan's mid-half verve has faded.

85th minute: Hernandez floats his attempt high and wide. That's garbage, I'm afraid.

84th minute: Not a great couple of minutes from Gagliardini, who gives away a free-kick ina dangerous position, about 30 yards from goal.

83rd minute: More fine play from Barella and the substitute Gagliardini dallies and can't get a shot off. Even as they wind down, Inter continue to look the more dangerous side.

76th minute: Krunic and Bastoni have an altercation at a corner that Maignan claws away. Krunic has to be careful, given he's on a yellow. That did look like a punch to the ribs, so it continues the freeform jazz approach we have to VAR this evening.

74th minute: Darmian enjoying his new advanced role wades into the latest slice of chaos in the Milan box and has a shot deflected behind.

70th minute: Lukaku replaces Dzeko, who has turned in a little masterpiece in centre-forward play. De Vrij replaces the rampaging Dimarco. Like Mkhitaryan's withdrawal, that's another cautious note. The Dutchman will slot into the back three ith Darmian moving to left wing-back.

68th minute: Acerbi tries his luck from distance because apparently Inter centre-backs in possession in the opposition half don't exist for the Milan defence. Maignan holds on unfussily. 

67th minute: Romelu Lukaku and Stefan de Vrij are getting ready to come on for Inter.

66th minute: The Milan crowd have cranked up the volume since that near miss. The Curva Sud roars as they win a corner. Dzeko heads Tonali's delivery away.

63rd minute: Brozovic comes on for Mkhitaryan, perhaps a sign that Inter want to lock this down in midfield. Here come Milan, Diaz and Giroud combine, the striker sets it back to Tonali, who smashes against the outside of the left-hand post.

59th minute: Double change for Pioli. Origi, who has some nice history when it comes to big nights and comebacks in this competition, is on for Saelemaekers. Thiaw, a 21-year-old centre-back replaces Kjaer and has a bin fire to address.

53rd minute: Brilliant save from Maignan! Milan's goalkeeper keeps them in the tie as he dashes out to deny Dzeko one-on-one. That chance came from Inter centre-back Bastioni being allowed to simply wander through the opposition half.

51st minute: Tonali sends Messias surging down the right. Oh, the Brazilian has to do better. His first touch is heavy and he then elects to shoot left-footed. That was was beyond the far post. Milan can't afford to be wasteful in this predicament.

49th minute: Nice interplay by Milan and Diaz sizes up the Inter defence, curling a left-footed shot just wide from 20 yards. I'm not sure Onana was getting there if that was on target. 

46th minute: We're back underway and Milan pump it into the Inter box a couple of times straight away. The attack ends with a goalkick but Milan clearly know they need something quickly.

Halftime: Onana comes out and has an unsightly flap at a right-wing cross. Milan have ended the half tidily enough, which is a bit like cleaning the windscreen after smashing in the front of your car. Dzeko and Mkhitaryan got the early goals, Inter hit the post, probably should have had a penalty and have been vastly superior in every department.

45th minute: Saelemaekers goes dancing into the Inter box, giving us a first glimpse of his quality. Dumfries gets back to close the door.

43rd minute: Messias gets a cross in towards Giroud. The volley is blocked, Onana is hesitant but the Inter defence clear the danger.

35th minute: Dimarco drills across goal and Dumfries almost turns home. Far from the VAR overturn lifting Milan, the shambles before and after it seems to have convinced Inter that their rivals have nothing left.

34th minute: If Tomori and Kjaer are pleased they managed not to give a penalty away just then, the fact they've got an hour more of this to endure is some bucket of cold water. Inter slice through them again and Martinez smashes over.

32nd minute: OVERTURNED! Wow, that's pretty remarkable. There wasn't huge contact but was there really enough evidence to overturn that one? Hmmmm. Huge lifeline for Milan that, frankly, they do not deserve.

Video available in the UK

31st minute: Penalty to Inter! Martinez gets inside Tomori and takes a tumble under pressure from Kjaer. Oh, hang on we're going to VAR!

30th minute: Nice move from Milan, Diaz delivers a low cross to the near post where Calabria has continued his run. The fullback tries an audacious backheel flick and it goes into the side netting.

28th minute: Tonali sends in a Milan free-kick from the left. It's a bit of a waste as it's clear at the near post. Giroud is then caught offside as the Rossoneri look to make something of the second ball. Diaz then engages in some pushing and shoving with Acerbi, who's the best part of a foot taller than him.

24th minute: Dzeko on the move again and engineers some space outside Tomori before slashing over at the near post. A pass inside to Barella or Dimarco might have been the better call but the blood is pumping and Dzeko's confidence is up.

18th minute: Bennacer's race is run. On comes Junior Messias.

16th minute: Calhanoglu hits the post!!!! Good gracious! Inter almost put the whole tie to bed as Calhanoglu sends a rasping 30 yarder against the upright. Mkhitaryan on the rebound... Maignan saves. If this was a boxing bout, the referee would be having a good, long look at Milan.

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14th minute: Giroud and Saelemaekers each chuck themselves to the ground in the Inter box as a corner sails in. There's a VAR check and, rightly, nothing is given. Bennacer is down fo some treatment. This is a nightmare for Milan so far.

11th minute: GGGOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!! Henrikh Mkhitaryan!!!!!!

Inter in dreamland, Milan all over the place. Barella got a slick move going in midfield, releasing the in-form DiMarco. Martinez dummied his cross and Mkhitaryan strode into the area to finish unopposed.

Video available in the US

Video available in the UK

8th minute: GGGOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!! Edin Dzeko!!!!!

First blood to Inter as Dzeko holds off Davide Calabria and steers a measured volley into the top corner. Brilliant finish from the veteran striker.

Video available in the US

Video available in the UK

6th minute: As you might expect, it's been a bit scrappy so far. Dzeko looks to run Tomori and wins a free-kick. Dimarco pumps it into the box and it's deflected behind off Tonali for an Inter corner.

1st minute: We're off. And there's the first foul, Dumfries and Hernandez. Start as you mean to go on, lads.

1 min from kickoff: Inter are ready to play ball. Milan huddle for some final instructions. Good luck trying to hear one another! It's a bear pit in there.

3 mins from kickoff: Here come the teams. They lineup for the Champions League anthem, with the capacity crowd roaring the chorus line. It's an explosion of colour inside San Siro. Truly epic.

15 mins from kickoff: It's interesting to consider where the balance of power lies in this famous old rivalry right now. Milan won the Scudetto last season and triumphed 3-2 in the first derby of 2022/23, with the absent Leao netting a brace. But Inter hit back with a 3-0 win in the Supercoppa Italiana before Martinez got the only goal in Serie A in February. Those results started and ended a run of four consecutive defeats across all competitions for Pioli's men, but there is now only two points separating them in the table with four domestic games remaining as Inter lie fourth and Milan fifth.

30 mins from kickoff: Lautaro Martinez loves this derby. He has seven goals in 12 career appearances against Milan. Since his first Derby della Madonnina in March 2019, that more than any other player has managed against the Rossoneri.

Lautaro Martinez Inter Milan 180123
Getty Images

55 mins from kickoff: We have a venue fitting for the occasion tonight, as we will next week. This is Milan's home game at San Siro, with Inter's match coming six days from now at one of football's great colosseums. The atmosphere is already starting to ramp up.

1 hr 10 mins from kickoff: Inter's XI is also in. Romelu Lukaku has to make do with a place on the bench as Edin Dzeko is selected to partner Lautaro Martinez in attack. Hakan Calhuanoglu starts as the deep-lying playmaker, with Marcelo Brozovic among the replacements.

1 hr 20 mins from kickoff: Here's the Milan starting lineup, with the news that Leao won't feature from kickoff confirmed. What's worse for Stefano Pioli is that his star attacker has not even made the bench.

1 hr 40 mins from kickoff: Ever since the quarterfinal draw was made the tantalising prospect of this tie loomed. Inter were handed a winnable assignment against Benfica and bundled their way through, not without a scare or two. Milan were paired with Napoli as Luciano Spalletti's team closed in on their historic Serie A title triumph but made light of this season's gulf in the league table, prevailing 2-1 on aggregate. 

Rafael Leao was key to the Rossoneri's triumph, with his astonishing solo run leading to Olivier Giroud's goal in the 1-1 draw in Naples. However, it has been reported the Portugal winger is only fit enough for a place on the bench tonight.

2 hours from kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of the Champions League semifinal first leg between AC Milan and Inter  — a truly seismic encounter that will bring one of Europe's great footballing cities to a standstill.

AC Milan vs Inter lineups

AC Milan are without star forward  Rafael Leao due to a hamstring injury. Alexis Saelemaekers and Brahim Diaz are the wide attackers playing in support of Olivier Giroud at centre-forward

The only other Milan injury concern was central midfielder Tommaso Pobega, who has made the bench.

AC Milan (4-2-3-1, right to left): 16-Mike Maignan (GK) — 2-Davide Calabria, 24-Simon Kjaer, 23-Fikayo Tomori, 19-Theo Hernandez — 33-Rade Krunic, 8-Sandro Tonali — 56-Alexis Saelemaekers, 4-Ismael Bennacer, 10-Brahim Diaz — 9-Olivier Giroud

Romelu Lukaku's recent improved form does not earn him a start for Inter as Edin Dzeko partnered Lautaro Martinez in attack.

Coach Simeone Inzaghi is without key defenders Milan Skriniar and Robin Gosens due to injury. Danilo D'Ambrosio returns to the matchday squad.

Inter (3-5-2, right to left): 24-Andre Onana (GK) — 36-Matteo Darmian, 15-Francesco Acerbi, 95-Alessandro Bastoni — 2-Denzel Dumfries, 22-Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 20-Hakan Calhanoglu, 23-Nicolo Barella, 32-Federico Dimarco — 10-Lautaro Martinez, 9-Edin Dzeko

AC Milan vs Inter live stream, TV channel

  TV channel Streaming
Australia — Stan Sport
Canada — DAZN
Hong Kong beIN Sports 3 beIN Sports Connect
India - JioTV, Sony LIV
Malaysia beIN Sports 3 beIN Sports Connect, sooka
New Zealand — Spark Sport
Singapore beIN Sports 3 beIN Sports Connect, StarHubTV+
UK BT Sport 1 BT Sport site/app
USA CBS, Univision, TUDN Fubo, Paramount+, ViX+, TUDN app/website

UK: The match will be broadcast on BT Sport 1 and streamed on BT Sport platforms.

USA: This match will shown on CBS (English) and Univision (Spanish), and those channels can be streamed on Fubo. There is also a stream on Paramount+ (English) and another on ViX.com for subscribers.

Canada: Every Champions League game streams live on DAZN.

Australia: Every UEFA Champions League match streams ad-free on Stan Sport, live and on demand.

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Dom Farrell

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Dom is the senior content producer for Sporting News UK. He previously worked as fan brands editor for Manchester City at Reach Plc. Prior to that, he built more than a decade of experience in the sports journalism industry, primarily for the Stats Perform and Press Association news agencies. Dom has covered major football events on location, including the entirety of Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup in Paris and St Petersburg respectively, along with numerous high-profile Premier League, Champions League and England international matches. Cricket and boxing are his other major sporting passions and he has covered the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Gennadiy Golovkin and Vasyl Lomachenko live from ringside.