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Inter vs AC Milan summary: score, goals, highlights | Champions League semi-final 2022-23

Update:
Inter were favourites coming into the return leg against their local rivals, and a second half goal from Lautaro ensured there were no nerves at the San Siro.

Inter vs AC Milan, Champions League 2022-23 semi-final: live!

Full time: Inter 1-0 AC Milan (Inter win 3-0 on aggergate)

A historic night for Inter, as they qualify for the Champions League final with something to spare at the expense of city rivals AC Milan. Simone Inzaghi’s men were not at their best but didn’t have to be, with the Rossoneri’s performance the very definition of going out with a whimper.

Other than a 10-minute spell early in the first half, in which Theo Hernandez, Brahim Díaz and Rafael Leão all could’ve found the net, Milan did little to suggest they were ever going to overturn the two-goal deficit from the first leg.

Despite their opponents having those decent opportunities to score, Inter looked the more assured team throughout and managed the game superbly, especially in the second half. The ‘hosts’ were happy to let Milan have the ball, safe in the knowledge that they had enough to keep them at bay.

Stefano Pioli’s side resorted to slinging high balls in the general direction of Olivier Giroud, who was well marked and often had little chance of getting on the end of them in any case. The Nerazzurri rarely attacked in the second period but did possess more of a threat after the introduction of Lukaku, who teed up the excellent Lautaro for the only goal with just over 15 minutes to play. 

Inter are heading to Istanbul on 10 June!

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Inter turn Milan black and blue

But it's all about Inter today, with the Nerazzurri running out deserving winners against their city rivals and co-tenants at San Siro. 

Inter beat AC Milan black and blue. 

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Real Madrid or Manchester City to face Inter in Champions League final

Real Madrid have arrived in England to play the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie against Premier League leaders Manchester City, with the winner facing Inter in the final in Istanbul on 10 June. 

The tie is evenly-poised after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Spain, which means Wednesday's clash should be a cracker! Remember that you will be able to follow that one live here on AS USA from around 1pm ET. 

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Inter reach sixth European Cup/Champions League final

The final in Istanbul will be the sixth time Inter play in either the European Cup or Champions League showpiece. 

They won the trophy is back-to-back seasons in 1963-64 and 1964-65, having to wait 45 years for their next victory in 2009-10. 

They were also beaten finalists in 1966-67 and 1971-72. 

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Onana's super record against Milan

Is André Onana Inter's lucky derby charm? If he'd stayed in the dressing room in the second half, we probably wouldn't have noticed. 

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Inter's first Champions League final since 2010

It's been a while - 13 years to be precise - but Inter are back! Their last - and so far only - appearance in a Champions League final came back in 2009-10, when they defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid. José Mourinho was in charge, a man who has also not won the competition since then. 

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Our friends over at Sofascore have named Romelu Lukaku as their MVP, even though he only came on for the final 25 minutes. He was a handful for the Milan defence in the time that he was on, though, so it's not that mad a shout. 

What do you think?

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FULL TIME! INTER QUALIFY FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL!

For the first time since they won it in 2010!

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90+2

...easily headed away at the near post by Lukaku. 

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90+2

One last corner for AC Milan to make a mess of. 

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90+1

Almost a second for Inter!

Lukaku has looked really lively since coming on and almost gets a goal for himself, testing Maignan with a low drive!

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90

Three minutes of injury time to be played. 

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89

Olés ring around San Siro as Inter play keep-ball. 

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87

For the first time in the second half, Tonali threads a lovely pass through for Calabria, who's made a fine run forward. But (yes, you've guessed it) a poor cross lets him down. 

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84

Milan's only attacking strategy is been to put (not very good) crosses into the Inter box. They haven't even tried to work the ball into good crossing positions. They've been firing it at Giroud from all angles, to no avail. 

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83

Standing ovation for Inter captain Lautaro

Lautaro's last involvement. Barella also goes off, with Correa and Gagliardini coming on. 

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82

Lukaku and Lautaro very nearly combine again but the ball just runs away from the Argentine in the box before he can shoot!

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80

Krunic flies into a challenge on Calhanoglu and suddenly it's all kicking off. Tomori and Lautaro appear to be the only men booked for their parts in the pushing and shoving. 

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77

Barella and Tonali see yellow for an off-the-ball dispute. 

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77

Almost a second for Lautaro! He spots Maignan off his line and tries the chip but the Milan keeper gets enough on it to help it over. 

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76

Giroud chance!

Finally a sight of goal for Giroud, who has space in the box but can't get his header on target. 

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76

Saelemaekers and Origi on for Messias and Díaz. 

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75

You get the feeling that Inter are playing down the gears, yet they are still comfortably holding off Milan here. 

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Lautaaaaarooooo!

Inter have barely attacked in this second half, but they haven't had to. But they get men in the box this time, Lukaku lays it off to Lautaro, who takes it on his left foot and fires low through the legs of Maignan. 

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73

GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAL INTER! LAUTARO!

One chance, one goal in this second half!

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70

A new variation on how Milan mess up a cross. Calabria slings a hopeful ball towards the edge of the box, Giroud flicks it on and Leão and Tonali are practically holding his hands as he does so, which means the ball runs well beyond them. 

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68

Milan's best move of the half! They work the ball out to the right to Calabria, who crosses for Leão, who could head goalwards but tries to cushion it for Messias. But there's too much spring on the header and Onana collects. 

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67

The biggest cheer of the half comes from the Inter fans as Leão thinks he's won a corner off Acerbi, only for the ball to clip the Portuguese on its way over the line.  

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65

25 minutes to go and there is absolutely no sign of Milan doing anything. Maybe they are preparing for a grand finale?

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65

Double change for Inter: Lukaku on

Lukaku and Gosens replace Dzeko and Dimarco for Inter. 

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64

Barella skills!

Silky stuff from Barella in midfield and he juggles the ball from one foot to the other before setting Dimarco away. In keeping with the rest of the second half, the attack stops there. 

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63

Thiaw is indeed leaving the field, with Kalulu coming on. 

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61

This doesn't look good for Malick Thiaw, who's picked up a knock in a clash with Dzeko. He only came into the team for this game but he may well have to go off here. 

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60

This is incredible. Another Milan cross goes over everyone and out for a goal kick. Messias once more.

Giroud would be tearing his hear out if it weren't so neatly groomed. 

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59

Leão and Dumfries chase Hernandez's high ball down the left, with the Inter man flying over the advertising boards. Probably the most exciting moment of the second half so far!

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58

This really has been such a poor start to the second half from Milan.

Wake up, ragazzi! This is a Champions League semi-final. 

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57

Díaz picks the ball up in a good position inside the Inter half and has three men to aim at in the box. But the Spaniards overhits his cross and it's another goal kick for Inter. 

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54

Thiaw booked

Milan defender Malick Thiaw is first in the book for hauling back Lautaro after he'd flicked it over his head. 

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54

Giroud's touch is normally impeccable but he loses control one of the only occasions that Tonali has been able to connect with him from midfield. Chance gone. 

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53

Finally a bit of fire in a Milan belly. Messias is outraged at not winning a free-kick for perceived foul by Dimarco and chases down Calhanoglu, giving away a foul himself. But Milan need something like that, they're incredibly flat at the start of this second half. 

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50

A couple of flashpoints in midfield as Lautaro and Thiaw clash, as do Calhanoglu and Messias. Milan could probably do with stoking the fire a bit here. 

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49

Messias faces Dimarco up one against one and has space to curl the ball in towards Giroud but he gets too much on it and it goes out for a goal kick. 

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47

Not a good start to the half for Hernandez, who has twice had the chance to move his team up the pitch and launch an attack, only to lose possession a split-second after receiving it, putting Milan on the back foot.

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46

Inter are first to threaten, with Demarco eyeing one up from just outside the box, only to see his effort immediately blocked. 

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Second half underway at San Siro!

Milan kick off the second half. 

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There's not been much to separate these two so far but it was Inter who finished the half the stronger. Milan need to do something, and quick. 

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Leão growing into semi-final

He was fairly quiet for most of the half but that one run and shot from Rafael Leão will have struck fear into the Inter defence. Maybe he just need a bit of time to warm up after some time out?

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San Siro at its Champions League best

What a sight this is. What kind of fool would even contemplate knocking this place down?

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Tonali's first-half ups and downs

Like his team, Tonali came to life in a 10-minute spell early in the half but lost his way somewhat as half time approached. He's done most of his best work out wide, which ironically isn't where Milan really want him. 

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Half time: Inter 0-0 AC Milan

Inter will be more than happy with how the first half has played out. True, Milan have probably had the better opportunities to score, with Hernandez flashing one over from long range, Díaz shooting straight at Onana when he should’ve done better and Leão firing just wide after a jinking run down the left.

Yet Simone Inzaghi’s men feel as if they are the more coherent team and are more likely to cut their opponents open, rather than the other way round. Dumfries has been lively down the right but has been let down by a poor final ball, while Lautaro also looks in the mood but hasn’t quite found his shooting boots yet.

Still all to play for in the second half.

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45+2

Díaz goes down right on the edge of the box...but Giroud has inexplicably been penalised for a foul. 

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45+1

Hernandez has got away with one there! The left-back should cut out Demarco's cross easily but miscontrols and almost lets Dumfries in. The Frenchman does just enough to recover the situation. 

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45

Three minutes of injury time to be played. 

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43

Dumfries almost plays his team into trouble but neither Díaz nor Hernandez is unable to get a shot away from the edge of the box after Leão's cross had dropped to him. 

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42

Inter enforced change

Mkhitaryan is no more. Brozovic takes his place. 

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41

Mkhitaryan off and on

Mkhitaryan has picked up a knock. He's gone off, he's come back on again. Now he's done for a second time. 

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40

Over from Lautaro!

Inter are cranking it up! Lautaro picks up possession just outside the box, turns away from one, turns away from a second and lashes a left-footed effort just over!

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38

Huge save from Maignan!

Calhanoglu whips a free-kick into the box, Dzeko diverts it towards goal and Maignan makes a superb reflex save to keep his team in the tie!

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37

Leão inches away for Milan!

What's the opposite of the commentator's curse? Leão suddenly comes to life, getting away from Darmian (with the help of handball) and then skipping past Bastoni before flashing a low shot inches wide from a tight angle. 

That's why he's been rushed back!

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36

Messias crossing for Giroud seems to be one attacking tactic for Milan. A couple of such balls into the box have caused problems but Acerbi does really well to clear the latest one. 

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35

A lot of fuss was made (including by me) about Leao being back for Milan. I'm not sure he's actually kept the ball on the few occasions that he's touched it. 

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34

Not too much going on at the moment, which suits Inter perfectly. 

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33

That pass from Tomori sums up Milan's play in the last 10 minutes or so. The defender tries to play the ball into Giroud's feet but is well off target and the ball runs through to Onana. 

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31

High foot or low head? Dumfries dives at a loose ball near the touchline with his head, while Hernandez goes at it with his foot. The Inter man unsurprisingly comes off worse although his stooping seemed unnecessary. 

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30

Milan have really lost their way in the last few minutes. 

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28

Calhanoglu whips a really dangerous corner into the six-yard box and Maignan does really well to punch it away. 

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28

A dangerous run forward from Barella and he almost gets past Tomori and into the box. The defender just gets a touch on it to put it behind for a corner

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27

A chance for Milan from a free-kick. Tonali sticks it in the box but Darmian heads clear. 

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24

Ahhh, that was a good chance for Dumfries! He got in behind Hernandez and looked for Dzeko in the middle his attempted cross was cut out. 

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23

A good old-fashioned 'neutraliser' from Calabria he goes right through Dimarco. No card though. 

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22

Mkhitaryan chances!

Two chances in quick succession for Mkhitaryan! He first was blocked after his attempted pass to Dzeko was cut out, but the ball found its way back to him at the edge of the box. Couldn't keep it down though. 

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21

Tremendous play from Lautaro to get his team up the field. The Inter captain picked up possession inside his own half, turned three Milan players and burst forward, winning a foul from Tonali. 

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20

Milan trying to get Tonali in the game in central areas but Barella is pressing really well. He's had some joy out wide already though. 

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19

A decent spell of possession for Milan at the moment but Inter holding firm. 

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17

Things have calmed down a little after a period of dangerous attacks coming thick and fast. 

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16

Nothing was the answer to that one...

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15

Messias wins a corner. What can Milan do here...?

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13

Milan have come right back into this after a storming start from Inter. We could've had goals at both ends so far. 

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11

Maignan saves from Barella!

Another save from Maignan, this time from Barella, although Dzeko was offside in the build-up. 

End-to-end stuff at the moment!

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10

HUGE chance for Díaz!

Huge, HUGE chance for Milan! Díaz has to score! Hernandez wins the ball back from Barella, with Inter claiming a foul. Tonali does brilliantly to get to the bye-line and cut it back for Díaz, whose weak shot is held by Onana. 

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9

Giroud goes close!

Good from Milan! Messiah swings a fine cross to the back post to Giroud, who gets to it before Onana and heads across goal. Bastoni clears from under his own crossbar with his goalkeeper stranded. 

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8

A moment of promise for Milan as Tonali gets in behind the Inter defence and his chipped cross almost picks out Giroud but is deflected away from him at the crucial moment!

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7

Over from Barella!

What were the Milan defence doing there? Barella is left all alone 25 yards from goal to control, turn and shoot under no pressure at all. The ball flies over, thankfully for Pioli's side. 

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5

Almost six minutes in and Leao gets his first touch. It's not a good one though as Dumfries gets right on top of him, wins possession and eventually a free-kick. 

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4

Hernandez goes close!

Out of nowhere, Hernandez hits one from downtown and it fizzes inches over Onana's crossbar! That would've changed everything!

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3

It's been absolutely all Inter so far. 

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2

Maignan save!

Inter's next attack comes down the other side, with Dimarco in space. He crosses to the far post and Barella heads back to Dzeko, whose powerful drive is beaten away by Maigan!

Oh...wait...there was another foul in there. 

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1

Inter have started brightly here and Dumfries is again involved. He tries to get down the outside of Hernandez but is also judged to have fouled his opponents. 

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1

Early danger for Milan as Dumfries slings a long throw into the box but Dzeko commits a foul and the 'visitors' breath a sigh of relief. 

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Inter vs AC Milan underway at San Siro!

Inter kick us off!

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Will San Siro be red or blue?

The stage is set.

Can Inter see the tie out? Can Milan pull off an epic comeback?

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Champions League anthem time

It's time for the Chaaaaaaampions...

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AC Milan team to play Inter

Three changes for Milan, with Thiaw, Messias and Leao coming in. 

Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernandez; Tonali, Krunic; Messias, Brahim Diaz, Leao; Giroud.

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Inter team to play AC Milan

A little reminder of the Inter team to face Milan. No changes from the first leg. 

Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Dzeko, Lautaro.

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Who is Clément Turpin, the referee for Inter vs AC Milan? Champions League semi-final second leg

Kick-off is just a matter of minutes away! Before we get going, let's take a look at who the man in the middle will be at San Siro. As ever, he and his team will be hoping for a quiet night. Those of us watching, would probably rather than opposite. 

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Champions League semi-finals: away goals rule & what happens if there’s a tie

AC Milan have plenty of work to do to get it to this stage, but surely they are capable of winning 2-0 against pretty much anybody in their home stadium?

What happens if they do it? Or if they win by any two-goal margin, for that matter? 

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Spezia's Polish defender Przemyslaw Wisniewski (R) scores his team's first goal during the Italian Serie A football match between Spezia and AC Milan at the Alberto-Picco stadium in La Spezia, on May 13, 2023. (Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP)

AC Milan: recent form

Milan went into the first leg on an unbeaten run stretching back to 18 March, when they were defeated in Udinese. But after nine matches without defeat, which included a superb 4-0 win away to runaway Serie A leaders Napoli, as well as two Champions League ties against them, they've now lost their last two in a row, which could cost them dear in this competition and in the league. 

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Romelu Lukaku festeja el 1-0 con una característica celebración.

Inter: recent form

Inter have completely turned things around after a poor run of form in March and some of April threatened to derail their season. They have turned a run of only one win in nine games in all competitions into just one loss in 12, which includes seven victories in a row. In those seven games, they’ve scored 21 goals and conceded just three. That’s what I call red-hot form.

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Inter Milan's Marco Materazzi  (L) and AC Milan's Manuel Rui Costa waits on the pitch as supporters throw flares onto the pitch during their Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match at the San Siro Stadium in Milan April 12, 2005.                             REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini
 PUBLICADA 13/04/05 NA MA30 3COL

Previous Champions League meetings between Inter and AC Milan

Inter and AC Milan have been drawn together twice before in the Champions League, although not since 2004-05.

The rivals faced off in the semi-finals of the competition in 2002-03, drawing 0-0 and 1-1, results which saw Milan progress to the final thanks to their - somewhat ironic - 'away' goal. They would go on to defeat another Italian side, Juventus, on penalties after one of the worst Champions League finals in recent memory. 

Two years later, they met in the quarter-finals, with Milan taking control of the tie thanks to a 2-0 first leg win. What followed in the return match led to one of the most iconic photos in soccer history, with Inter's Marco Materazzi and Milan's Rui Costa watching on as Inter fans lobbed flares onto the field after they had had a goal disallowed. One struck Rossoneri goalkeeper Dida and the match was abandoned, with Milan given a 3-0 win. They again reached the final, which was a much more memorable affair this time around, as Liverpool came back from 3-0 down at half time to defeat them on penalties. 

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What does ‘AC’ stand for in AC Milan? And why Milan not Milano?

And what of AC Milan's foundation?

When did it happen?

What on earth does AC stand for?

And why is the club's 'official' name Milan in English and not Milano in Italian? 

So many questions. Calum is here with the answers. 

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How did Internazionale get its name?

Time for a little bit of a history lesson. Even if you don't speak Italian, you'll probably have noticed that Internazionale (Inter's 'full' name) looks a lot like the English word 'international' (a real eye-opener, I know). 

What's the story behind the name then? And how is the story of the club's originals linked to that of their bitter rivals? 

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AC Milan's Italian coach Stefano Pioli speaks during a press conference on May 15, 2023 at the Milanello Sports Center in Carnago, northwest of Milan, on the eve of the UEFA Champions' League semi-final second leg football match between Inter Milan and AC Milan. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)

AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli: "Nobody thinks Milan can reach the final"

Milan coach Stefano Pioli has no such dilemma and knows that his team just has to go for it. He's adopting a the-world-is-against-us-so-let's-prove-them-wrong approach. 

"We know we are starting with a disadvantage, but we also have the quality to overturn it. Now, more than ever, nobody thinks Milan can reach the final.

"We can play a great game and I know how strong my players are. We've made some mistakes, but the past is irrelevant.

"We have an important goal in mind - to win and qualify for the final, which nobody would have predicted, just as at the beginning of the year no-one would have predicted our presence in the semi-finals."

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Soccer Football - Champions League - Semi Final - First Leg - AC Milan v Inter Milan - San Siro, Milan, Italy - May 10, 2023 Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi REUTERS/Claudia Greco

Inter boss Simone Inzaghi: "A cool head and a warm heart"

A quick look at the best bits from the respective head coaches' pre-match press conferences, which took place yesterday (Monday). First up, Inter boss Simone Inzaghi.

"We know it's one of the most important games in Inter's history. We have an advantage, deservedly so, but we won't just have to manage it. We'll have to play as Inter, knowing that we have a strong team in front of us.

"We're 90 minutes away from a dream, which I and these wonderful guys had. It will take a cool head and a warm heart. It's the only way for matches like this."

How will Inter approach this one? The age-old dilemma of how to defend a 2-0 lead. 

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Could Leão be the key to an AC Milan comeback?

We know what to expect from Rafael Leão in this one, don't we? Milan can't be any less dangerous than they were in the first leg...

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Milan (Italy), 05/11/2022.- Milan's Olivier Giroud (2-L) scores the 2-1 lead during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Spezia Calcio in Milan, Italy, 05 November 2022. (Italia) EFE/EPA/MATTEO BAZZI

AC Milan: 2022-23 season so far

Last season, Milan won Serie A for the first time since 2011, which automatically means that this year has been a bit of a disappointment domestically. As things stand, they won’t qualify for the 2023-24 Champions League unless they win it this season. With three matches left to play and nine points still on the table, they have to make up a four-point gap to fourth-placed Lazio, with Inter a further point ahead. It doesn’t look promising.

There’s been little to shout about in the cup competitions other than the Champions League, with Milan eliminated from the Coppa Italia in the round of 16 (where they entered) by Torino, days before suffering a 3-0 loss to Inter in the Supercoppa Italiana in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. 

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Empoli (Italy), 23/04/2023.- Inter's Lautaro Martinez (R) celebrates with teammate Romelu Lukaku (L) after scoring the 0-3 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Empoli FC vs FC Internazionale Milan in Empoli, Italy, 23 April 2023. (Italia, Roma) EFE/EPA/Claudio Giovannini

Inter: 2022-23 season so far

Inter are locked in the battle to finish in the top four in Serie A and qualify for next season’s Champions League through their league position. Their weekend win over Sassuolo, coupled with Milan’s loss to Spezia, means they are almost home and dry ahead of tough-looking fixtures against Napoli and Atalanta. The Nerazzuri have a five-point lead over their fifth-placed city rivals with just nine points left to play for. 

Inzaghi’s side have also fared rather better than Milan in the Coppa Italia. They have won home games against Parma, Atalanta and Juventus (after a semi-final first-leg draw) to reach the final, where they will face Fiorentina on Wednesday 24 May. With them having already won the Supecoppa Italiana (they beat Milan 3-0), there is a chance they could end the season with a cup treble.

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Iconic San Siro awaits Inter vs AC Milan in the Champions League

Of course, this particular Champions League tie is unique in the sense that the second leg will take place in the exact same stadium as the first. 

The only difference is that the fans will swap sides. Or will they? Does it matter who plays at 'home' (they're both at home, but you know what I mean). How does this whole thing work? And why do they even share a ground?

San Siro is also widely regarded as one of the world's most iconic soccer stadiums (they don't make 'em like that any more etc). But you may have heard that it has a somewhat uncertain future. 

We've got a series of articles on a true bucket-list stadium that might interest you.

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'Official' AC Milan team to play Inter

Just for those of you who have mild (I think) OCD like me, here's the 'official' AC Milan team graphic from the 'official' Twitter account. 

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AC Milan team to play Inter

Milan's social media team must be off having a slice of pre-match pizza but I've got a hold of this graphic from elsewhere. 

They most definitely were broken last week and they've fixed it a little:

Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernandez; Tonali, Krunic; Messias, Brahim Diaz, Leao; Giroud.

Thiaw, Messias and Leão are the new faces in the Milan side for this one. 

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Inter team to play AC Milan

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Same again for Inter and Simone Inzaghi. 

Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Dzeko, Lautaro.

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AC Milan's British defender Fikayo Tomori reacts after received a red card during the UEFA Champions League group E, football match between AC Milan and Chelsea, at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, on October 11, 2022. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)

AC Milan in the 2022-23 Champions League

Milan lost twice to Chelsea (back when they occasionally scored goals and won games) in the group stages but progressed from Group E in second spot thanks to big wins at home to Red Bull Salzburg and away to Dinamo Zagreb, who they also saw off at San Siro.

Pioli’s men then edged past Tottenham Hotspur in the round of 16 (which seems less impressive now that Spurs have fallen to pieces) and ruined European soccer’s fairytale story of the season by eliminating everybody’s new second-favourite team Napoli in the quarter-finals. Diego Maradona’s former club can at least console themselves with a first Serie A title in 33 years.

And here we are. 

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Soccer Football - Champions League - Group C - Inter Milan v Bayern Munich - San Siro, Milan, Italy - September 7, 2022 Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt in action with Inter Milan's Marcelo Brozovic REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo

Inter in the 2022-23 Champions League

Inter were drawn in the stereotypical ‘group of death’ alongside Bayern Munich and Barcelona (oh, and Viktoria Plzen too). But they came out of it alive despite losing twice to the Germans. A controversial home win over Barça, along with a draw at Camp Nou, proved crucial, with everybody else also defeated twice by Bayern twice and beating the Czechs home and away.

Like their city rivals, Inter won their round-of-16 tie against Porto by a home goal to nil. Whoever said Italian soccer was boring and defensive (it’s not anymore, by the way)? Just to prove it, the Nerazzuri also disposed of Portuguese opposition in an entertaining tie in the next round, impressively winning 2-0 at Benfica before progressing thanks to a 3-3 draw at San Siro.

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Rafael Leão makes AC Milan squad!

We all suspected it (i.e. Stefano Pioli told us) and he's back! Rafael Leão's number 17 jersey is hanging up in the Milan dressing room, which I'm taking to mean that he's fit to play. Will he start, though?

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Why don’t Inter have a sponsor on their jersey?

Take a good look at the Inter jersey down there (on that last tweet) or up here (in the photo above this message). It's a thing of beauty, isn't it? Although I'm not sure we were saying that before they dropped the sponsor off the front a few weeks ago. 

What happened there? Glad you asked. Here's Joe to explain. 

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Time to paint Milan blue/red and black

The stakes don't get much higher than a Champions League semi-final against your biggest rivals, do they?

Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid is the only city derby that's taken place in the final (2014 and 2016), so this has to be next on the list. 

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Soccer Football - Champions League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - Inter Milan v Benfica - San Siro, Milan, Italy - April 19, 2023 Inter Milan's Joaquin Correa celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo

Inter early team news

Inter boss Simone Inzaghi will again be unable to call upon Milan Skriniar because of a back injury. The central defender is due to join PSG (is it too late to rip up that pre-contract agreement…?) in the summer but is hopeful of being fit for the Champions League final before he goes, provided his team get there.

Attacker Joaquín Correa only played for 12 minutes in the first leg and was taken off at half-time in the weekend victory over Sassuolo amidst fitness concerns, although there is a chance that he could be involved.

Long-term injury victim Dalbert, who has spent most of his time at the club out on loan, is still in the treatment room.

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The reason why Zlatan Ibrahimovic won’t be given a medal even if AC Milan win the Champions League

Speaking of Zlatan 'I'm a lion, not a man' Ibrahimović, there's more bad news for him, I'm afraid. He won't get a Champions League winner's medal even if Milan pull off a semi-final comeback and go on to beat either Madrid or City in the final. 

And in a strange quirk, Leão actually means 'lion' in Portuguese. As far as I'm aware, Ibrahimović doesn't in any language, although my Swedish is limited. 

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Rome (Italy), 29/04/2023.- Milan's Rafael Leao reacts during the Serie A soccer match between AS Roma and AC Milan, in Rome, Italy, 29 April 2023. (Italia, Roma) EFE/EPA/RICCARDO ANTIMIANI

AC Milan early team news: will Rafael Leão face Inter?

We’re still a little bit away from having the official team line-ups for the game but let’s take a look at who is and isn’t going to play.

Milan boss Stefano Pioli has been given a significant boost ahead of the clash by the return to training of Portuguese winger Rafael Leão, who has been one of the Rossoneri’s most dangerous attacking weapons this season. He missed last week’s first leg against Inter and the subsequent weekend defeat to Spezia through injury, but yesterday Pioli all but confirmed the Leão would be available to play today: “He’s better, like (Rade) Krunic and (Junior) Messias, they should do some finishing today. If everything goes as planned, they’ll be available”.

The bad news from the first leg is that Algerian midfielder Ismaël Bennacer, who was forced off with a knee injury after only 18 minutes, is expected to join long-term injury victim Zlatan Ibrahimović in missing the remainder of the season.

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Champions League Derby della Madoninna

Will pennants ever go out of fashion in soccer? Let's hope not. Milan will clearly be delighted to receive this blue and black one, of course.

The subtlest type of sh*thousery there could possibly be. 

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MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 09: Toni Kroos of Real Madrid battle for the ball with Erling Haaland of Manchester City FC during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between Real Madrid and Manchester City FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 09, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Diego Souto/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Manchester City vs Real Madrid in the other Champions League semi-final

Of course, Inter or AC Milan will face the winner of the Real Madrid vs Manchester City tie in the final on 10 June. That's like choosing which way you'd prefer to die. 

Who's going to come out on top in that one? Well, it's anyone's guess after a draw in Madrid in the first leg. They meet once again tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Etihad in Manchester, with kick-off also at 3pm ET.

We'll have live coverage of that one for you right here on AS USA.

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AC Milan - Inter summary: score, goals, highlights | Champions League semi-final first leg 2022-23

What happened in the first leg between AC Milan and Inter?

Last week, it was all about the first half. Milan began marginally the better but it was Simone Inzaghi’s side who struck first in their first attack, Dzeko allowed to volley home Calhanoglu’s corner from close range.

From that moment on, it was one-way traffic for the ‘visitors’. And within a couple of minutes, they were two up, Mkhitaryan driving through a huge gap in the Milan defence to coolly make it 2-0.

Calhanoglu then struck the post from distance and (the diving) Lautaro Martínez thought he had won a penalty, which was overturned by VAR. Inter threatened to run riot, with the Milan defence all over the place.

Milan at least managed to put up some resistance in the final minutes of the first half and that continued in a much less eventful second period. They ended the game with just two shots on target, neither of which forced André Onana to get his jersey dirty.  

Must do better.

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Inter vs AC Milan: times, how to watch on TV and stream online | Champions League

Of course, you may be looking for a way to watch the game, in which case, you are bang in luck. If you’re watching from the United States, there is a way and this is it!

You can also watch a live stream of Inter vs AC Milan on fuboTV (free trial available)

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Photographers take pictures of the UEFA Champions League trophy displayed on the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between AC Milan and Inter Milan, on May 10, 2023 at the San Siro stadium in Milan. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP)

What time does Inter vs AC Milan kick off?

Before we take a proper look at the two teams and indeed the derby as a whole, time for a bit of admin. What time does the game actually get going?

You experienced Champions League campaigners will already be well aware, I’m sure, but just in case. Tuesday’s clash gets underway at 9pm local time in Milan, that’s 3pm ET and 12pm PT. Over the course of the next 90 minutes, I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty, plenty more. Are you ready? Let’s do this!

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Inter Milan's Italian defender Federico Dimarco (L) and AC Milan's Italian defender Davide Calabria go for the ball during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between AC Milan and Inter Milan, on May 10, 2023 at the San Siro stadium in Milan. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP)

Hello and welcome to Inter vs AC Milan!

Inter vs AC Milan: the shortest away day in Champions League history.

Last Wednesday, theNerazzuri comfortably disposed of their San Siro co-tenants, with early goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan putting Simone Inzaghi’s men in total control of the tie. A 2-0 lead looks fairly handsome from where I’m sitting…but would it be too much to ask of AC Milan to reverse that score line? And in their own stadium, too…

I’m going to say that stranger things have most definitely happened in soccer. This one is not over yet.  

I’m Roddy and thank you for joining me for the second leg of a Champions League semi-final Derby della Madoninna!

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