Lautaro Martinez ended the suspense by scoring in the 83rd minute. CLAUDIA GRECO / REUTERS
Fallout of their Milanese neighbors in the semi-finals (3-0, aggregate score), the Nerazzurri will face Real or City in the final.
Inter Milan back in the Champions League final. Winners of AC Milan 2-0 in the first leg, the Nerazzurri won again (1-0) this Tuesday, at San Siro, in the semi-final second leg. It was Lautaro Martinez who scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute, burying AC Milan’s last hopes.
Here are the Nerazzurri in the final for the sixth time in their history and the first since 2010, when Jose Mourinho’s players won the timpani. It was Inter’s third title in C1 after 1964 and 1965. The Lombard club lost in 1967 and 1972. Inter will face Real Madrid or Manchester City to win the title (1-1 at the ‘To go in Spain).
Maignan responds to Onana
In a boiling Giuseppe-Meazza, both teams started the game at a high pace. And Théo Hernandez – discreet in the first leg – lit the first fuse by landing a heavy strike with the left foot and from a distance (5e). Beaten on this shot, Onana was delighted to see the leather p just above his cage… But the Cameroonian goalkeeper was once again called upon, six minutes later, on the hottest action of the First period. On the left side, Tonali overflowed and crossed at the penalty spot. Arrived launched, Diaz rushed and did not force his shot enough. Result, Onana anticipated and captured the ball (11e).
Despite this promising start to the match, AC Milan then suffered a big scare. Maignan repelled a dangerous strike from Barella but Clément Turpin returned to an offside position from Dzeko beforehand (13e). For 20 minutes, the two rivals were rough before Leao, back for the occasion, just missed the target with a cross shot (37e). Annoyed, the Nerazzurri – ambitious in their game despite their first leg lead – responded through Çalhanoğlu. The latter hit hard a free kick that Maignan, the French international goalkeeper, was able to repel following an impressive reflex (39e).
Martinez finds the flaw
Upon returning from the locker room, Inter and AC Milan were not dangerous in front of goal. But have on the other hand committed an impressive number of faults (23 in 52 minutes). On both sides, attacks struggled to be found. Not very dangerous, Olivier Giroud’s teammates failed to make a difference, like these two crosses from Messias who did not find a taker around the hour mark.
15 minutes from time, Lukaku – fresh into the game – combined with Lautaro Martinez in the box. The Argentinian reigning world champion strikes low from the left and deceives Maignan for the goal of deliverance (75e). In a boiling Giuseppe-Meazza, AC Milan was knocked out. And will never have revolted in a match where we clearly expected more. As for the Interists, they are heading to the final and will play two finals a few weeks apart, in the Italian Cup against Fiorentina (May 24) and against the winner of the return match between Real and City (June 10). ).