It was a match that already sounded like a last chance for Paulo Fonseca. Having started the season well below expectations, AC Milan had to get back on track tonight to avoid falling into crisis. Impactful from the start, the Rossoneri started their match perfectly. In the 6th minute of play, Alvaro Morata took a cross in the opponent’s area and sent a beautiful shot, directed towards the roof of the goal. Unfortunately for the striker, Yann Sommer was on the spot and made a classy reflex save. A few minutes later, it was Pulisic’s turn to shine. The American, who took the ball from Mkhitaryan’s feet 25 meters out, went on an incredible ride. The player slipped between several defenders, including Pavard, and beat the Inter goalkeeper with a right-footed shot in the box (10th, 0-1).
The Red and Blacks’ happiness was short-lived, however. Half an hour into the game, Federico Dimarco allowed Inter to get back into the game thanks to a nice pass from Lautaro Martinez (28th, 1-1). Subsequently, Fonseca’s men, a little more in trouble, slowed down the tempo. This allowed the Nerazzurri to try one last time to take the lead before the end of the period. Marcus Thuram sent a heavy strike towards the left of the goal (42nd). Mike Maignan repelled his attempt with a nice save.
AC Milan stunning
After the break, Rafael Leao was the first to show his danger. The Portuguese player tried to put a header in the Inter goal, but Maignan was alert and pushed it away (46th). The match was then fairly calm, with few clear chances on either side. Tijjani Reijnders tried, on the hour mark, a shot towards Sommer’s goal, who anticipated the trajectory of the ball well. A little later, the Rossoneri thought they had the opportunity to take the lead with a penalty whistled after a foul by Martinez in his area (65th). After checking the VAR, it was finally disallowed to the great displeasure of Théo Hernandez’s teammates.
The match finally turned in AC Milan’s favour. On a set piece 30 metres out, Tijjani Reijnders sent a beautiful ball to Matteo Gabbia, who, after a great run, managed to propel the ball to the right of the goal (89th, 1-2). At the end of this Milan Derby, Inter are in 6th place in Serie A with eight points. For their part, Paulo Fonseca’s men find themselves in 7th place with eight in five matches as well. This scenario will certainly give the Portuguese coach some breathing space.
