MILAN – The stadium was packed to the rafters, the energy electric, the air thick with anticipation. Down on the pitch, eleven Nerazzurri lions were about to give their all for the ultimate prize: derby glory.
Inter set their stall out early on, with Palacio leaving Alex on his behind only for Mexes to clear the danger. The Argentine had worked two chances even before the clock ticked round to five minutes, this time drawing a sliding block from Alex.
It was a special night for young Assane Gnoukouri, who was making his first ever start for the club. His performance was full of eager energy and the youngster should be proud of his showing. On nine minutes, he exchanged passes with Palacio and threatened to shoot, but couldn’t quite work the necessary space.
The first real chance came on the 11-minute mark. Hernanes picked up the ball just outside the AC Milan box before unleashing a rasping shot which Diego Lopez had push round the post. Two minutes later and it was Kovacic’s turn to threaten, but his long-range effort whistled just over the crossbar.
Inter were dominating the early exchanges, with AC Milan happy to sit back and soak up the pressure. On 14 minutes, Menez led a Rossoneri break and fizzed a dangerous ball across Handanovic’s goal, but Juan Jesus kept a cool head to avert the danger. It seemed to hearten Milan, who had two chances in quick succession through Suso. Both times, Handanovic’s fists ensured the match stayed goalless.
On the half-hour mark, the Rossoneri had a goal chalked off due to offside on Mexes. It was a pulsating encounter, worthy of the history of the derby, with Inter rising to the occasion admirably. By the time the half-time whistle blew, Inter had a 90% pass-completion rate and were dominating the match.
The second half heralded a Nerazzurri onslaught. On 50 minutes, Palacio had a goal chalked off after Icardi was caught offside. Nine minutes later, D’Ambrosio burst down the flank, causing Bonaventura all kinds of problems. Inter’s foot was jammed hard on the gas and a goal seemed only a matter of time.
The big talking point came in the 64th minute. Hernanes shot for goal inside the area, only for his effort to come off Antonelli’s hand. No dice, said the referee, much to San Siro’s chagrin. The Nerazzurri continued to push, sensing blood, and had another goal disallowed after Palacio was adjudged to have committed a foul in the build-up.
Fate seemed to be conspiring against Inter, who had another wonderful chance on 77 minutes: the ball fell to Palacio yards from goal, but his shot was somehow kept out by the grateful Diego Lopez. D’Ambrosio and Icardi threatened late on, but it wasn’t to be. Inter kept fighting until the last, cheered on by a deafening San Siro crowd, but the final whistle arrived soon after.
INTER 0-0 MILAN
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 23 Ranocchia, 15 Vidic, 5 Juan Jesus; 27 Gnoukouri (Obi 67), 18 Medel, 10 Kovacic; 88 Hernanes; 8 Palacio (Shaqiri 76), 9 Icardi.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 6 Andreolli, 11 Podolski, 21 Santon, 26 Felipe, 28 Puscas, 55 Nagatomo, 93 Dimarco, 96 Palazzi, 97 Bonazzoli.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
AC MILAN: 23 Diego Lopez; 20 Abate, 33 Alex (Paletta 70), 5 Mexes, 31 Antonelli; 16 Poli (Cerci 82), 34 De Jong, 21 Van Ginkel; 8 Suso (Destro 74); 7 Menez, 28 Bonaventura.
Subs not used: 32 Abbiati, 99 Donnarumma, 2 De Sciglio, 10 Honda, 11 Pazzini, 13 Rami, 17 Zapata, 25 Bonera, 36 Mastalli.
Coach: Filippo Inzaghi.
Booked: Medel 29, Juan Jesus 34, De Jong 35, Abate 83, D'Ambrosio 83, Hernanes 84
Added time: 1 + 4 mins.
Referee: Banti.
Assistants: De Luca, Vuoto.
Fourth official: Preti.
Additional assistants: Guida, Doveri.
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LE PAROLE DI MISTER MANCINI POST INTER- MILAN
