Inter Milan took the upper hand over AC Milan (2-1) Tuesday in the quarter-final of the Italian Cup, at the end of an intense derby marked by the tense duel between Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the latter having been excluded in the second half.
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Inter Milan took the upper hand over AC Milan (2-1) Tuesday in the quarter-final of the Italian Cup, at the end of an intense derby marked by the tense duel between Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the latter having been excluded in the second half.
AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden congratulated by Alessio Romagnoli after opening the scoring against Inter Milan in the Italian Cup quarter-final on January 26, 2021 at Giuseppe Meazza stadium
MIGUEL MEDINA – AFP
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After the opener for Milan signed “Ibra” on his first strike (31st), “Big Rom” replied for Inter in the second half from a penalty (71st) while the Rossoneri were reduced to ten.
And it was Christian Eriksen, the one who was no longer part of Antonio Conte’s plans, who came off the bench to score the qualifying goal (90 + 7th) during a very long added time after the injury of the main arbiter.
The heavyweight duel between Lukaku and Ibrahimovic will remain as the symbol of this Milan derby. A hot match on the pitch as it was even before kick-off in front of San Siro where more than a thousand Inter supporters had gathered, according to Italian media.
A goal each but above all an image to symbolize the evening tension between these two teams neck to neck at the top of the championship: this face to face, front to front, at the very end of the first half between the Belgian and the Swedish, which earned everyone a yellow card. Insults that will continue after the referee’s whistle on the way to the locker room.
We have rarely seen the Belgium international so angry, apparently after words from the Swede, two players who played together at Manchester United for one season (2017/18).
The Belgian may also have been annoyed by the scenario of a match. He did get the first big chance (24th) but saw Romanian goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu, incumbent Gianluigi Donnarumma (suspended), push back his shot.
– Juventus possible in half –
And a few minutes later, “Ibra” scored him on his first shot, a placed shot that entered with the help of the post (31st).
A surgical goal that allowed the Rossoneri to tackle the lead after a tight first half.
AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden leaves the field after receiving a red card in the Italian Cup quarter-final against Inter Milan on January 26, 2021 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium
MIGUEL MEDINA – AFP
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But the yellow received in his altercation with “Big Rom” cost “Ibra” dearly. Again warned in the second half for an unnecessary fault to interrupt an internal counter (58th), the Swede left the Rossoneri to ten.
Especially since the Interists, with Achraf Hakimi entering the break, had entered quite strong in this second half, forcing Tatarusanu to release a few hot balls.
In numerical superiority, Inter pushed Milan to the fault, Rafael Leao conceding a penalty – granted after intervention of the VAR – after a badly controlled tackle on Nicolo Barella.
Inter Milan striker, Belgian Romelu Lukaku, equalizes (1-1 on a penalty against AC Milan, during their quarter-final of the Italian Cup, January 26, 2021 at the Giuseppe GMeazza stadium
MIGUEL MEDINA – AFP
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And who other than Romelu Lukaku to take charge of the sentence and equalize in his match with “Ibra”, with him also the help of an amount (71st).
The intense end of the match – including for the referee who was injured and had to give way to the fourth referee (79th) – would turn in favor of the Nerazzurri. Tatarusanu was impeccable in front of Lautaro Martinez (89th) then Lukaku (90th) but he could not do anything on Eriksen’s delicious final free kick.
A goal that sends Inter to the semi-finals (in two-way matches on February 3 and 10, unlike in the quarterfinals) against Juventus or SPAL, the only Serie B representative still in contention in the Italian Cup, who meet on Wednesday.
AFP / Rome (AFP) / © 2021 AFP
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