Inter have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in their Champions League semi-final tie against Derby della Madonnina rivals Milan
The first leg was a frantic affair in front of a cacophonous, at times, decibel-defying atmosphere, but Inter didn’t let that faze them. Goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan early on silenced the Milan fans and have given Simone Inzaghi’s side a two-goal buffer heading into next week’s second leg.
Here is how the players rated at the San Siro:
Milan
Mike Maignan – 7 – Made some absolutely crucial saves when Inter continued to knock on the door. Despite picking the ball out of his net twice, it could have been a lot more but for his dexterity.
Davide Calabria – 4 – Really struggled to generate composure and attack with his usual vigour. The entire Milan backline was at sixes and sevens for much of the contest.
Simon Kjaer – 4 – All at sea in that first half, the Scandinavian was comprehensively taken apart by Martinez’s swivels and Dzeko’s power.
Fikayo Tomori – 4 – Looked shaky and devoid of confidence in that first half, where much of the damage was done. Grew into the second half, but that opening 45 minutes was painful to watch from Milan’s entire defence.
Theo Hernandez – 5 – Put his body on the line and looked to provide some drive and thrust in that second half — but the Frenchman was just as liable in that initial period from a defensive perspective.
Sandro Tonali – 6 – Played a sublime ball through to Messias for Milan’s first big chance just after half-time, and the mop-haired playmaker continued to press and probe. Defensively, he drifted far too much as Inter found room exceptionally easy. But he didn’t stop running towards the end, and of course hit the post.
Ismael Bennacer – 5 – Struggled to get into the game before going off injured 18 minutes in.
Rade Krunic – 5 – Another who found it difficult to generate real momentum and cohesion. The Bosnian was overawed in that first half as Inter’s midfield trident took control of proceedings. Improvements were made after the restart, but it was too little too late.
Alexis Saelemaekers – 6 – Milan’s biggest threat in that shambolic first half. Drafted in for Rafael Leao, the quick-footed winger showed plenty of heart and drive. He started to find a little bit of a groove, but unfortunately didn’t produce anything tangible to claw a consolation.
Brahim Diaz – 5 – Had a few moments and driving runs, but he will leave the turf feeling he could have done more.
Olivier Giroud – 6 – Showed desire and grit and certainly put his body in and amongst it, but there just wasn’t enough for him to drag his side back into the contest.
Substitutes:
Junior Messias (for Bennacer 18′) – 5 – Squandered a massive chance just after the restart to reduce the deficit.
Malick Thiaw (for Kjaer 60′) – 6 – Showed a bit more bite and grit than Kjaer.
Divock Origi (for Saelemaekers 60′) – 5 – A few neat touches and flair, but not much to write home about.
Pierre Kalulu (for Calabria 82′) – N/A – Came on for the final few minutes.
Tommaso Pobega (for Diaz 82′) – N/A – Came on for the final few minutes.
Inter
Andre Onana – 7 – Scarcely called into action in that first half, but responded after the break when required. Onana’s distribution also kept the Inter wheels greased well. A superb passing range, and real composure to spread play like a midfield metronome.
André Onana's 2022/23 Champions League touch map. ? https://t.co/KwGq1Y1J3A pic.twitter.com/s7PxMVJ6CR
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Denzel Dumfries – 7 – A strong and commanding performance from the buccaneering full-back, who never shied away from a 50/50 with Hernandez. His driving runs and attacking output really gave Inter a strong control of the right flank.
Matteo Darmian – 7 – A man reborn in Milan, the ex-Man Utd defender was exquisite at times as an overlapping centre-back. His reading of the game was immense to thwart danger.
Francesco Acerbi – 7 – Uncompromising and firm, the veteran defender played with a no-nonsense approach that added a real grit and beef to the Inter defence.
André Onana is the first Inter goalkeeper to keep 7 clean sheets in a single Champions League campaign.
Not a bad free transfer. ?#UCL pic.twitter.com/Xu4ElnKyN3
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Alessandro Bastoni – 8 – Held his own against the experience and prowess of Giroud. The fresh-faced defensive powerhouse was strong and resilient, while his driving runs added a modern sheen to Inzaghi’s approach. A penetrative drive in the 52nd minute saw him part Milan’s midfield before setting up Dzeko, who nearly made it three.
Federico Dimarco – 8 – Tore hither and thither down the left flank, with his attacking endeavour duly rewarded early on after he set up Mkhitaryan with a precision low cross. His energy, enterprise and drive kept Inter operating at a high-octane level and in full throttle.
Nicolo Barella – 8 – An absolute joy to watch, the diminutive maestro operated like a playmaker grandmaster at times and controlled the tempo with his quick feet and slippery movement. Snake-hipped and intelligent, Barella was Inzaghi’s lynchpin in his free role.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 7 – Set up the opening goal with an inch-perfect corner, before going on to dominate the midfield battle. The former Milan midfielder was creatively superb and pinged the post with a trademark piledriver, but spare a thought for his defensive work as he continued to break up attempted Milan transitions.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 7 – Doubled Inter’s advantage early on and nearly made it three but for a tame effort straight at Maignan. Don’t let that take away from what was otherwise a classy display from the veteran playmaker, who was smooth and controlled in the middle of the pitch.
Edin Dzeko – 7 – Set the tempo early on with a superb outstretched leg to break the deadlock and continued to wreak havoc on Milan’s backline. His near-telepathic link-up with Martinez was sublime, and a quick shimmy on Tomori in the first half served as a reminder that the 37-year-old is still as slippery and athletic as he has ever been.
Lautaro Martinez – 8 – Absolutely sensational for Inter, the Argentine didn’t get on the scoresheet, but everything about his game kept the Nerazzurri operating at full tilt. His slippery hips and mesmeric footwork kept Tomori on his toes, while his back-to-goal exploits ensured fluidity was the dominant trait of Inzaghi’s attack. And how about his defensive work? The typically-prolific forward registered a match-high five tackles and three interceptions. Defending from the front? You can say that again.
Lautaro Martínez made more tackles (5) than any other player during his time on the pitch.
El Toro always puts in a shift. ?#UCL pic.twitter.com/YprOlnxCYg
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Substitutes:
Marcelo Brozovic (for Mkhitaryan 63′) – 6 – Brought an assurance and composure to the pitch at a time when Milan were starting to grow into the game.
Romelu Lukaku (for Dzeko 70′) – 6- Played his part and put in a shift for that final 20 minutes.
Stefan de Vrij (for Dimarco 70′) – 6 – Sturdy and composed — exactly what Inzaghi was after.
Roberto Gagliardini (for Calhanoglu 78′) – N/A – Came on for the final 10 minutes or so.
Joaquin Correa (for Martinez 78′) – N/A – Came on for the final 10 minutes or so.