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.
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