Edin Dzeko and Mkhitaryan were on target as Inter Milan saw off local rivals, AC Milan, to close in on first Champions League final in 13 years.
It was a clash of the titans as the two Milan clubs face each other in a crucial champions League semifinal clash.
The two teams have face each other four times in the competition with AC Milan coming out top with two wins and two draws.
One of their last meetings was a similar semifinal clash in which AC Milan won and proceeded to the final.
Starting Lineup
AC Milan: Mike Maignan; Davide Calabria, Fikayo Tomori, Simon Kjaer, Theo Hernandez; Sandro Tonali, Rade Krunic; Alexis Saelemaekers, Ismael Bennacer, Brahim Diaz; Olivier Giroud.
Inter Milan: Andre Onana; Matteo Darmian, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni; Denzel Dumfries, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko.
It was an engaging start at the San Siro with its cauldron-like atmosphere that saw both fans roar in support of their teams.
AC Milan headed into the clash with a slight advantage having edged out Serie A champions, Napoli in the quarterfinals.
Inter saw off Portuguese side, FC Porto, but had to wrestle with the odds of overturning a jinx-like record against their noisy neighbors.
Both got the game to a fiery start making attempts to find an early goal.
After just 8 minutes of play, Inter Milan wave aside their winless European run against their fiery City rivals with a deserved lead.
Edin Dzeko delivered a beautiful left-foot strike after Calhanouglu’s cornerkick to give Inter Milan the lead.
It was a destabilizing start for AC Milan as they grapple to stitch together their leaky defense who fell easily to the attacking prowess of the Nerazzuri.
Just three minutes after the first goal, Mkhitaryan doubled the lead for Inter Milan. Dimarco put him through with a good through ball before he volleyed home from close range to sink AC Milan.
AC Milan’s horrendous start to the game – conceding two goals in less than 20 minutes – was shocking but a dream start for Inter as the Nerazzuri make a bold step to Champions League final.
After the second goal, Inter Milan came close to a third just four minutes later, hitting the post to further exert their dominance despite the two-goal lead.
They nearly landed another opportunity to extend the lead when they almost bagged a penalty but was overturned after VAR check.
Inter Milan took a deserved 2-0 lead into the first-half break. Edin Dzeko and Mkhitaryan goals separated the two sides.
It was a nightmare for AC Milan. They had 45 minutes left to turn the game around or face a huge task heading into the second leg.
Inter remained solid in the second half with their brink-wall defense and fast-paced attack.
It was another subpar delivery by AC Milan going forward. They struggled to create clearcut chances in the game.
Both sides made early second-half substitutions but Inter Milan continued with their formidable challenge.
With less than 10 minutes left, it was still Inter Milan leading by two goals to nil.
AC Milan made late efforts to salvage a consolation goal and reduce the deficit but Inter Milan held on to run out 2-0 winners after the final whistle.
The Nerazzuri will be heading into the second leg with a huge advantage as AC Milan will have to score three to nil to qualify for the final.
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