MILAN – Inter were condemned to a derby defeat on Sunday night as AC Milan won through 3-0 at San Siro.
After a breathless start to the first half, AC Milan took the lead ten minutes from the break through an Alex header. Mauro Icardi saw his spotkick cannon back off the post on 70 minutes, and it proved to be a costly miss as Bacca made it 2-0 shortly afterwards. Niang completed the scoring 13 minutes from the end.
Roberto Mancini had handed Eder a first start alongside Jovetic, with Perisic and Ljajic providing the support on the wings. Sinisa Mihajlovic meanwhile lined up with a 4-4-2 formation that saw Niang and Bacca lead the line.
The first few minutes were all about Eder: first the Italian barrelled after Perisic’s through ball only to have his cross cut out by Alex, then he saw his header sail away from goal after Juan Jesus’ cross. On 12 minutes, Eder led an Inter break to feed Perisic, whose left-footed effort forced a corner.
Samir Handanovic was called into action on 15 minutes, diving forward to get a palm to Kucka’s fierce cross before Niang could apply the finish. Inter reacted with an attack of their own, Jovetic’s backheel setting Perisic through on goal only for the Rossoneri defence to stand firm once again.
It had been a pulsating first half an hour, with the Nerazzurri enjoying plenty of chances. Yet there was a blow on the horizon for Roberto Mancini’s side as Alex rose highest to head home Honda’s cross and give AC Milan a 1-0 lead on 35 minutes.
Inter looked to respond through the lively Eder, whose cross was cut out by Alex before it could find a team-mate. Minutes later, Donnarumma rushed out to dispossess Perisic only for the ball to fall to Juan Jesus: with the goalie rushing back, the Brazilian’s cross was headed over by Jovetic.
There were no changes at half-time and Inter began the second period brightly. On 49 minutes, a coming together between Donnarumma and Eder saw the Nerazzurri appeal for a penalty, but the referee shook his head and instead sent Roberto Mancini to the stands.
Icardi was introduced in place of Jovetic on 63 minutes as Inter looked to turn the result around. And the captain had an immediate impact, winning a penalty from Alex. Icardi himself stepped up to take it, but saw his effort bounce back off the post with Donnarumma rooted to the spot.
The energy was coursing round San Siro, but there was to be more frustration for the Nerazzurri as Niang whipped in a dangerous cross from the right and Bacca fired home for 2-0 on 73 minutes.
Inter pushed forward urgently, with Eder guiding a header narrowly wide from a Ljajic corner, but the momentum was with the Rossoneri and they soon had their third goal: Bonaventura burst into the box and teed up Niang on the right, and while Handanovic produced a fine save to deny the Frenchman’s first effort he was powerless to stop him stroking home the rebound.
The Nerazzurri tried in vain to salvage something from the game, but there was to be no consolation on a difficult night for the black and blue side of Milan.
AC Milan 3-0 Inter (HT: 1-0)
Scorers: Alex 36, Bacca 73, Niang 77.
AC MILAN: 99 Donnarumma; 20 Abate, 33 Alex, 13 Romagnoli, 31 Antonelli; 10 Honda (Boateng 88), 27 Kucka, 18 Montolivo, 28 Bonaventura; 19 Niang (Balotelli 79), 70 Bacca (Bertolacci 85).
Subs not used: 32 Abbiati, 97 Liveri, 2 De Sciglio, 4 Mauri, 7 Menez, 16 Poli, 17 Zapata, 25 Simic, 96 Calabria.
Coach: Sinisa Mihajlovic.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 21 Santon, 25 Miranda, 24 Murillo, 5 Jesus; 17 Medel, 77 Brozovic; 44 Perisic (Melo 78), 23 Eder, 22 Ljajic (Telles 87); 10 Jovetic (Icardi 63).
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 46 Berni, 7 Kondogbia, 8 Palacio, 27 Gnoukouri, 33 D'Ambrosio, 55 Nagatomo, 97 Manaj.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
Bookings: Jovetic 45, Alex 57, Kucka 64, Balotelli 80.
Added time: 1 + 3 mins.
Referee: Damato.
Assistants: Di Liberatore, Dobosz.
Fourth official: Preti.
Additional assistants: Mazzoleni, Calvarese.
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