Milan had the best chances, particularly a Rafael Leao curler forcing a one-handed save, but a 0-0 ‘away’ draw is not a good first leg Coppa Italia semi-final result for Inter.

This was the first leg of the semi-final, although the second has not been formally scheduled yet, and the away goals rule does apply with the Rossoneri technically the ‘home’ team here. That means if the second leg ends with a score draw, then Milan will go through to the Final, the same situation that developed in the 2003 Champions League semi-final.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Simon Kjaer were still out injured, with Sandro Tonali suspended, but the Nerazzurri had a full squad to choose from. Milan won the Serie A derby on February 5 with an Olivier Giroud brace, blowing the Scudetto race wide open.

Liveblog: Coppa Italia semi-final Milan vs. Inter

The ‘hosts’ had the first two chances, as first Samir Handanovic beat away an Alexis Saelemaekers effort after a high press forced an error, then Theo Hernandez drilled inches wide.

Edin Dzeko had a shot charged down, while Alessio Romagnoli got a crucial header to stop Dzeko nodding in Ivan Perisic’s cross from a yard. However, he sustained a flexor injury during that move and had to be replaced by Pierre Kalulu.

Rade Krunic was relatively unmarked on a Saelemaekers assist, but his finish was deflected over the bar.

After the restart, Samir Handanovic got a hand to the Rafael Leao curler, with Olivier Giroud complaining he’d been pushed in the same move.

Lautaro Martinez was booked after going in a little late on a loose ball and landing on Mike Maignan’s wrist, but fortunately the Milan goalkeeper avoided more damage. It was unintentional, but still considered reckless.

Pierre Kalulu made a decisive interception to prevent Dzeko tapping in the Dumfries ball across the face of goal, then Milan countered for Junior Messias to drill wide.

Joaquin Correa made his comeback after over two months out with injury, while Robin Gosens got his debut in the Inter jersey.

Milan 0-0 Inter

Milan: Maignan; Florenzi (Calabria 84), Tomori, Romagnoli (Kalulu 26), Theo Hernandez; Kessie, Bennacer; Saelemaekers (Rebic 67), Krunic (Brahim Diaz 67), Leao (Messias 67); Giroud

Inter: Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries (Darmian 88), Barella (Vidal 65), Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic (Gosens 88); Lautaro Martinez (Alexis Sanchez 65), Dzeko (Correa 79)

Ref: Mariani

10 thought on “Coppa Italia | Milan 0-0 Inter: Derby stalemate leaves semi-final open”
  1. First half was one of the better I’ve seen in a while. I’ll tell you this, if Milan had a ok striker, speedy etc, hell even belotti we would have won this game with a few goals. Granted Inter have a much larger squad, makes it easier to play a game like this but I’m genuinely proud of Milan performance. Again a shame we only have Giroud up there who clearly is worn out

  2. @ferban

    Did you see the game? Milan played good fotball. They were unfortunate not to score but overall and entertaining game that honestly Milan deserved to win.

  3. Our biggest problem is behind the striker. With a good attacking midfielder we would win these games and Giroud would score more goals.

  4. Forget CB. Use Tomori-Kjaer for one more season with Kalulu and Gabbia backing up (or maybe some decent CB on a free transfer who can contribute as a sub). Spend every penny on a striker in the 23-26 age bracket so will have experience and track record, but also energy and physical fitness, and a RW. Watching this game (and all games really) what we obviously need is a proper striker, an RW, and AMC. AMC is kind of under control with Diaz and Adli coming in. Had Diaz been during some of those chances Krunic had we might have scored. Same for a better RW instead of Saelemaekers. Messias was better but only marginally. Forget CM and CB until 2023.

  5. If anyone should have won that awful match it should have been Milan, no doubt.

    Inter were dreadful yet again.

    4 games without a goal now.

    Inzaghi is utterly clueless and the team is clearly having mental issues.

  6. @Azzkikr. How about Spaletti, De Boer, Pioli, Vecchi, Mancini, Mazzari, Stramaccioni, Gasperini, Ranieri? Are they clueless too?

  7. At this point for Inter they needed a goal in any way necessary but Inzaghi keeps believing that the tired, lazy, zombified Dzeko will score either with his weak headers or just run at defenders after a long ball. I think all the corners were the same with not a single intention of mixing up anything. Only when Sanchez and Correa came on then there was hope of scoring a goal. He should just put Perisic in Dzeko position and rest him for a few matches while both Gosens and Correa starts Lautaro is the greatest fraud in recent Inter history. Milan could’ve easily scored from all the mistakes at back.

  8. @Solointer, Don Marotta told me,”perhaps you should check what’s written on Dzeko’s contract papers. He asked me to play all Inter‘s games as a starter and I agreed happily to all his terms. Now, bow to me now, Inter fans!”

  9. @Solointer, Don Marotta told me,”perhaps you should check what’s written on Dzeko’s contract papers. He asked me to play all Inter‘s games as a starter and I agreed happily to all his terms. Now, bow to me now, Inter fans!”

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