Inter eliminates rival Milan without scares and returns to the Champions League final after 13 years

A Inter Milan confirmed the place in the final of the 2022/2023 Champions League this Tuesday, by winning again the Milan, 1-0, with a goal by Lautaro Martínez, at Giuseppe Meazza. In the first leg, Inzaghi’s team had already built a good 2-0 lead. Thus, Inter returns to the tournament’s decision after 13 years, when it won its last title.

Now, the first finalist awaits his opponent in the grand finale, which takes place on June 10th, in Turkey. The opponent will leave the duel between Manchester City and Real Madrid, which takes place this Wednesday, at 4 pm (Brasília time), at the Ettihad Stadium, in England. In the first leg, the teams drew 1-1.

With the season in the final stretch, the Italians still have commitments to fulfill for the Italian Championship. Still looking for a place in the next Champions League, Milan will face Sampdoria, on Saturday, at 3:45 pm, at the San Siro. Inter, in turn, face the already champion Napoli, on Sunday, at 13:00. Both duels are valid for the 36th round.

Lauti true interist ⚫🔵#ForzaInter #InterMilan #UCL pic.twitter.com/tenCe1C3Cs

— Inter (@Inter) May 16, 2023

Milan, now playing at home, needed to reverse the 2-0 deficit suffered in the first leg. The match, then, started busy with Milan trying to reduce the loss. Giroud, with his head, was in danger, but Darmian brushed it off. At 10, Brahim Díaz received it in the area and had space to finish in the corner and saw Onana defend.

Almost immediately after, Maignan worked to prevent Barella’s goal. The arbitration, however, signaled an offside in Inter’s dangerous move. Deprived in the first leg, Rafael Leão returned to the team and made a good move in the 37th minute, kicked cross and sent it close to Inter’s goal.

Afterwards, the home team responded with a header by Dzeko after a free kick in the area. Maignan countered and the defense pulled away. Before the first half ended, Inter lost Mkhitaryan, who made one of the games in the first leg. Brozovic took the spot.

Unlike what was presented in the first half, the teams came back from the break and played a less intense game, without many chances. Milan’s first real opportunity came in the 24th minute, in a deflection by Leão, who saw Onana make a calm save. Four minutes later, Inter extended the aggregate and scored the first goal of the game. Lautaro received from Lukaku in the area and finished in Maignan’s corner, fitting the ball between the crossbar and the goalkeeper. Lukaku scared in the end, but Maignan saved.