Tensions were high in San Siro as Inter flew to a 2-0 win over Milan in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, with the two club presidents ignoring each other in the stands.
La Gazzetta dello Sport highlights how the Nerazzurri president Steven Zhang and Rossoneri head Gerry Cardinale did not interact in the stands of the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, ignoring each other in a visible sign of their frosty relationship.
Things have been tense between the two Milanese clubs after Milan decided not to push for their new stadium with Inter, instead preferring to develop a new project on their own, fracturing the relationship.
Zhang was overjoyed with Inter’s Champions League semi-final win over Milan and he went down to the locker room after the full-time whistle to personally congratulate the players. He reminded them to keep focused, however, saying: “It’s not over, guys. Now let’s put our heads on Sassuolo, then let’s think about the return leg.”
The Nerazzurri president has prepared a €2m gross bonus for the squad should they reach the Champions League final, where they’d face the winner of Manchester City-Real Madrid.