INTER are through to the Coppa Italia semi-finals after a dramatic and bad-tempered derby with AC Milan.
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THANKS FOR JOINING US
That’s all from us tonight as Inter left it late to defeat their oldest rivals and progress to the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia.
Christian Eriksen’s 98th minute free kick saw the Nerazzuri come from behind after Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened the scoring before half time and Romelu Lukaku equalised from the spot.
Next up for Antonio Conte’s side is a home clash with Benevento on Saturday in Serie A, before the Coppa Italia semi-final a week tomorrow.
The Nerazzuri will discover their opponents for that game tomorrow evening.
AC Milan meanwhile are also next in action on Saturday as they travel to Bologna looking to extend their lead at the top of Serie A.
That’s all for now though.
Thanks for joining us, it’s been a pleasure.
MATCH REPORT
Plenty to talk about from tonight’s clash is an understatement.
There were goals, altercations, a sending off, a VAR awarded penalty, a referee substitution, ten added minutes AND a 98th minute winner.
CLICK HERE TO READ OUR MATCH REPORT
FULL TIME SCENES
The Inter Milan players celebrate in front of the empty San Siro stands at full time.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
STEFANO SPEAKS
AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli said this to RAI Sport at full time:
“It’s disappointing that we went out, because we cared about this competition.
“The performance shows we are a strong team who can hold out well, but going a man down made it much more difficult.”
On the altercation between Lukaku and Ibrahimovic:
“The situation was an influence, as the first yellow card then led to the second. They are two giants, they said something to each other, I don’t know what. It happens, we have to look forward.
“What didn’t work was that down to 10 men, it was much more complicated, and we were naïve with the foul to give away the penalty.
“However, I leave this defeat feeling much more positive and confident about our future than I was after the Atalanta game.
“It was a very balanced match, the only difference was having a man down. If it was 11 against 11, it was open to any result and we were 1-0 up.”
98TH MINUTE WINNER
Here’s a look at Christian Eriksen’s late winner.
GAME RECAP
So Inter win the Milan Derby to progress to the Semi-Finals of the Coppa Italia.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened the scoring for AC Milan in the first half before he and Romelu Lukaku were booked for an altercation on the stroke of half time.
Ibrahimovic was then sent off after a second booking for a trip on Kolorov.
Romelu Lukaku scored from the spot to level the scores after referee Paulo Valeri consulted the pitchside monitor to award Inter a penalty for a foul on Nico Barella.
Referee Valeri then had to be substituted after picking up an injury, with the game being delayed for almost ten minutes as the fourth offical took on the refereeing duties
Christian Eriksen then came off the bench to curl a free kick into the top corner in the 98th minute to send Inter through to the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia.
NICO’S THOUGHTS
These are the full time thoughts of Nico Barella:
“Milan are a strong side, but we proved that we are at their level.
“In fact, we proved that we are stronger. We hope to continue like this.
“It’s an open race for the Scudetto, they are strong, but we want to beat everyone.”
Does Barella know that this was actually a Coppa Italia game?
MATCH WINNER
Christian Eriksen celebrates netting the winning goal in the 98th minute of the game.
He hasn’t had the easiest times in Milan since his switch from Spurs last January, but his winning free kick showed the quality he still has.
What a game, and what a way to end it.
Credit: Reuters
Credit: Reuters
PEEEEEEP! THAT’S FULL TIME!
A CRAZY GAME COMES TO AN END!
INTER 2-1 AC MILAN!
INTER ARE THROUGH TO THE COPPA ITALIA SEMI-FINALS!
INTER 2-1 AC MILAN
100. into the 100th minute now and AC Milan win a free kick on the halfway line after a poor challenge from Hakimi who is booked.
Tatarusanu launches it long towards the box but there’s not enough on it and Inter clear.
That should be that.
INTER 2-1 AC MILAN
98. What an unbelievable game we’ve witnessed at the San Siro.
Christian Eriksen, an 88th minute substitution, curls the free kick over the wall and into the top corner with Tatarusanu rooted to the spot.
That should be game over.
GOOOOOAAAAAAAALLL!
INCREDIBLE!
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN SCORES FROM THE FREE KICK!
INTER LEAD IN THE 97TH MINUTE!
INTER 1-1 AC MILAN
97. Inter free kick.
It’s only twenty yards out as Martinez goes down, and Christian Eriksen stands over it.
INTER 1-1 AC MILAN
96. Eriksen tries his luck from the edge of the box but his effort is blocked.
This is real backs against the wall stuff for AC Milan.
INTER 1-1 AC MILAN
94. Young tries to get straight into the action.
He collects the ball on the left wing and cuts the ball back on to his right foot.
He curls a cross into the box but it’s past the far post and Hakimi can’t keep it in.
INTER 1-1 AC MILAN
93. Ashley Young has entered the fray for Inter, replacing Kolorov.
INTER 1-1 AC MILAN
91. CHANCE!
Another sight of goal from Lukaku but he drags his effort past the back post.
Serious pressure from Inter now, and AC Milan still have nine minutes to hold out.
INTER 1-1 AC MILAN
90. TEN minutes of added time are signalled.
Yes you read that right, TEN minutes of added time.
INTER 1-1 AC MILAN
90. WHAT A SAVE!
TATARUSANU TO THE RESCUE AGAIN!
HE FLINGS OUT A LEFT ARM TO DENY LUKAKU FROM SIX YARDS!
INTER 1-1 AC MILAN
89. HUGE CHANCE!
That should be 2-1 Inter!
Martinez is released in behind Romagnoli who is caught out for the first time.
He bears down on goal, one on one with Tatarusanu, but fires straight at the goalkeeper.
INTER 1-1 AC MILAN
88. Inter substitution.
Brozovic is being replaced by Eriksen.
EQUALISER
Here’s Romelu Lukaku’s equaliser from the spot that JUST about crept in.
INTER 1-1 AC MILAN
86. Vidal is tripped by Dalot on the halfway line and concedes a free kick.
Four minutes are left of the ninety but there could be up to ten minutes stoppage time.
INTER 1-1 AC MILAN
85. AC Milan substitutions.
Castillejo and Krunic are on for Leao and Saelemaekers.
INTER 1-1 AC MILAN
83. Good save!
Tatarusanu is called into action again, this time diving to his right to smother an effort from Hakimi from the edge of the box.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
