Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan set a record in the Champions League semi-final game against rivals AC Milan.
This simply means that in the history of Champions League knock-out, no two or more players who are 34 and above have been on the scoresheet in the same knockout game.
Dzeko and Mkhitaryan led Inter Milan to beat rivals AC Milan in an early win to emerge from the first leg of their Champions League semi-final with a 2-0 lead.
Within the first 11 minutes, Inter Milan were already winning 2-0 with Edin Dzeko opening the scoring with a fine volley at a corner, before Henrikh Mkhitaryan was given too much space to bury the game.
The match could have turned out worse for AC Milan as Maignan was beaten by a Hakan Calhanoglu drive five minutes later, but the ball bounced off the post.
AC Milan was better in the second half of the game but the absence of Rafael Leao was missed as they failed to find a goal.
Sandro Tonali came very close to scoring after hitting the post but there was no onslaught from the ‘home’ team and Andre Onana only made one save in the match.
Maignan denied Inter a third goal as he dove in to thwart a one-on-one situation with Dzeko who almost scored again.
Milan will have to play better in six days’ time in other for them to stand a chance to face Real Madrid or Machester City in the final.
Dzeko is 37 and Mkhitaryan 34 and Simone Inzaghi brought them back into the starting line-up and they repaid that faith.
Dzeko was started ahead of Romelu Lukaku and showed why with a well-taken goal and good all-around display.
Mkhitaryan was also started ahead of Marcelo Brozovic and his importance was showcased in scoring the second goal.
Edin Dzeko
Edin Džeko is a Bosnian footballer who was born on 17 March 1986 and plays as a striker for Inter Milan and captains the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
Džeko started his career at Željezničar, playing as a midfielder between 2003 and 2005, but had little success playing in that position.
Džeko is known for his physical presence, strength and aerial ability and he is considered by pundits and managers to be one of the best strikers in Europe.
Although he is mainly known for his goalscoring abilities, he is also good at providing a good number of assists in addition to scoring many goals.
Džeko is also known for shooting the ball with both feet equally well and with this, wherever he plays, he poses impressive goalscoring records. But he plays mainly as a striker.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is an Armenian footballer who was born on 21 January 1989 and plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Inter Milan.
Mkhitaryan succeeds well in playing a central role, just behind the strikers, where he often looks to link up with his teammates in and around the penalty area.
The Armenian is also known for his ability to draw away opposing defenders and, in turn, create space for his teammates, which leads to goal scoring opportunities, courtesy of his offensive movement, technique, and vision.
Mkhitaryan signed for Serie A club Inter Milan on 2 July 2022 despite being over 30 years of age.
