BARI - The first Milanese derby of the season was held at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari, as Inter and AC Milan squared off in the last of three mini-matches to determine the 2012 TIM Trophy winner. El Sharaawy put the Rossoneri ahead but Inter turned the tables thanks to a Guarin header and Palacio's goal on the break, thus securing the 12th edition of the tournament.
Both sides began aggressively but the first chance fell to the Rossoneri: Boateng forced Belec into a difficult save with an effort that was heading for the top corner. Inter soon responded and went close in the 11th minute when Coutinho burst into the box from the left before drilling a low shot at goal, Amelia collecting at the second attempt. Milito then played Palacio in with a useful ball on the 15-minute mark but the former Genoa man's powerful shot on the run only bulged the side netting.
A minute later it was 1-0 to AC Milan, as El Sharaawy seized on a defensive slip by Chivu to sweep past Belec.
Allegri made two substitutions on 20 minutes: Amelia and Boateng made way for Pazzagli and Carmona. Stramaccioni responded by replacing Jonathan with Mbaye.
Belec showed a remarkable display of bravery in the 24th
minute when he hurled
himself at the ball just as Ganz was about to swivel and volley.
A minute later the Nerazzurri drew level with a textbook move. Palacio whipped in the most inviting of crosses between the keeper and the back line and Guarin got there ahead of Acerbi to nod past Pazzagli.
Stramaccioni brought on fresh blood in the 28th minute as Longo took over striking duties from Milito, while Emanuelson replaced goalscorer El Sharaawy for AC Milan.
Inter completed the comeback on 34 minutes. Palacio left opponents trailing in his wake with a jet-heeled charge towards goal before powering the ball across Pazzagli and into the far corner.
Stramaccioni gave Ranocchia, Bianchetti, Benassi and Pasa a taste of the action late on but there was no change in scoreline before the referee blew for full time.
With two wins out of two following their earlier win over Juventus, the Nerazzurri end the competition on maximum points (six), racking up their eighth TIM Trophy success in 12 years.
Inter 2-1 AC Milan
Scorers: El Sharaawy 16, Guarin 25,
Palacio 34.
Inter: 27 Belec, 4 Zanetti, 6 Silvestre, 7 Coutinho (28
Pasa, 42), 8 Palacio (24 Benassi, 42), 14 Guarin, 19 Cambiasso, 22
Milito (81 Longo, 28), 26 Chivu (23 Ranocchia, 33), 33 Mbaye (42
Jonathan, 20), 55 Nagatomo (44 Bianchetti, 37).
Subs: 12
Castellazzi, 45 Forte, 46 Del Piero.
Coach: Andrea
Stramaccioni.
AC Milan: 1 Amelia (60 Pazzagli, 20), 77 Antonini, 13
Acerbi, 15 Mesbah, 62 Albertazzi, 12 Traorè (61 Prosenik, 39), 54
Cristante, 57 Valoti, 92 El Sharaawy (28 Emanuelson, 32), 56 Ganz, 27
Boateng (55 Carmona, 20).
Subs: 2 De Sciglio, 19 Taiwo, 23
Ambrosini, 25 Bonera, 50 Narduzzo, 58 Iotti, 70 Robinho, 76
Yepes.
Coach: Massimiliano Allegri.
Referee: Carmine Russo.
