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Regular-article-logo Monday, 23 December 2024

Inter’s great comeback

Thrilling Milan derby ends with Inter forcing a remarkable comeback to go on top of the Serie A table

Reuters Milan Published 10.02.20, 09:33 PM
Inter Milan players celebrate after their victory over AC Milan at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan

Inter Milan players celebrate after their victory over AC Milan at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan (AP)

Inter Milan went top of Serie A on Sunday after completing a remarkable second-half comeback to overturn a two-goal deficit and beat AC Milan 4-2.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic set up Ante Rebic’s opener before scoring with a header, as Milan held a deserved 2-0 lead at the break.

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But a Marcelo Brozovic volley and Matias Vecino strike in the space of two minutes saw Inter draw level at the start of the second half, before Stefan de Vrij’s header put them in front in the 70th minute.

Ibrahimovic hit the post with a late header as Milan pressed for an equaliser, but Antonio Conte’s side sealed the win in stoppage time through a Romelu Lukaku header.

Inter move into first place on goal difference, after catching Juventus on 54 points following their 1-2 defeat by Hellas Verona on Saturday, while Milan are 10th with 32 points.

Conte admitted Inter can dare to dream of the title ahead of a week that will test his team’s credentials.

Inter host Napoli in the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg on Wednesday, before travelling to third-placed Lazio on Sunday, who are one point behind them in the standings.

“It’s still very early to talk about something we can only dream of for now,” the Inter coach said. “We can have a dream. It’s a very intense period for us coming up and after that we’ll have a better idea of our potential and our real capabilities.

“We must face important matches, starting from Wednesday’s with Napoli, then Lazio, who have really strengthened over the years.

“We can’t achieve everything from one day to the next, but we are building. These guys proved they have great strength and guts today.”

Milan started strongly, coming close when Hakan Calhanoglu smashed a low shot off the post from outside the box. They took a deserved lead five minutes before the break when Ibrahimovic headed a lofted pass into the path of Rebic for a tap-in.

Ibrahimovic then netted during the first half stoppage time, heading in at the back post after Franck Kessie directed a corner into his path, making the Swede the oldest player to score in the famous fixture at the age of 38 years and 129 days.

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