AC Milan Crushes Inter's Treble Dream in Coppa Italia
The Derby della Madonnina exploded into life last night, but not in the way Inter Milan fans hoped. AC Milan delivered a resounding 3-0 victory in the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg, crushing Inter's aspirations for a historic treble and sending shockwaves through the San Siro.
A Night of Red and Black Dominance
Luka Jovic's brace, either side of halftime, proved the difference. His first, a powerful header, and his second, a poacher's finish, effectively dismantled Inter's defense. Tijjani Reijnders added a late third, sealing a comprehensive 4-1 aggregate win for Milan. This latest victory extends Milan's unbeaten run against their city rivals to five games this season, with three wins and two draws. It's a stark contrast to Inter's lofty Serie A position, where they sit 20 points ahead of Milan.
Inter's Treble Hopes Shattered
For Inter, the defeat marks a significant blow, ending their hopes of emulating Jose Mourinho's legendary 2010 treble. Simone Inzaghi, Inter's manager, acknowledged Milan's superior performance, citing fatigue as a contributing factor in the second half. While acknowledging the tiredness in his squad, he emphasized that this shouldn't be used as an excuse for a lack of sharpness in key moments.
Player Performances and Post-Match Reactions
While individual Inter performances varied, the team as a whole fell short of expectations. In contrast, Milan's attack, particularly Jovic, was clinical. Inzaghi's post-match comments focused on the need for his team to recover and bounce back from the loss, with their next Serie A match against Roma on the horizon. The rivalry remains intense, promising further dramatic clashes in the future.
Looking Ahead
The Coppa Italia defeat is a significant setback for Inter, but their Serie A campaign continues. The focus now shifts to regaining momentum and securing a strong finish to the season. For AC Milan, the victory propels them to the Coppa Italia final, where they’ll aim to continue their impressive form.