Internazionale v Milan Live Commentary & Result, 1/26/21, Coppa Italia

That’s all we have time for. Until next time, goodbye!

So, it is Inter who keep their Coppa Italia hopes alive at the expense of their bitter rivals and the current Serie A leaders. Up next in the two-legged semi-finals will be either SPAL or Juventus. They play on Wednesday.

What a game that was, and what a finale we had! Ibrahimovic gave Milan the lead in the 31st minute, but the veteran campaigner then saw red early in the second half. Lukaku subsequently levelled things up from the penalty spot, but the match seemed to be heading to extra-time when Tatarusanu pulled off a string of fine saves. However, in the seventh minute of stoppage time – which was elongated due to an injury to the referee – Inter’s forgotten man Eriksen stepped up to score a stunning free-kick and clinch victory.

90' + 11' FULL TIME: INTER 2-1 MILAN.

A. Hakimi

Yellow Card

90' + 10' Now there’s a booking for Hakimi, whose foul will give Tatarusanu the chance to launch a long ball forward. However, the attack comes to nothing.

F. Kessié

Yellow Card

90' + 9' Kessie has picked up a booking, to add to Milan’s troubles.

90' + 8' With just minutes remaining before extra-time was required, it is a man who may well be on his way out – who has been told he can leave Inter – who seems to have cemented the Nerazzurri’s place in the semi-finals.

C. Eriksen

Goal

90' + 7' GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!! AND THERE IT IS! What a moment for Inter, and what a moment for Eriksen. If there was ever a player who needed that goal, it was him. The playmaker reminds everybody of his quality with a sublime free-kick, getting it up and over the wall and into the left-hand side of the net. It’s 2-1 Inter!

90' + 6' A real chance now for Inter, as they win a free-kick around 25 yards out. It’s certainly the kind of position from which Eriksen thrives, and it is the former Tottenham star who stands over it...

90' + 5' Half of the stoppage time has been played, and still Inter cannot get through. Even if Milan get through this, though, they will have another half an hour to play.

A. Young

A. Kolarov

90' + 2' Another Inter switch. Young is on, replacing Kolarov.

90' + 1' There will be 10 minutes of added time. As the board goes up, Martinez tries his luck again, but once more finds Tatarusanu at his best. Milan have faced 23 attempts so far, but Inter have just the one goal.

90' That’s an even better save from Tatarusanu! Milan’s second-choice goalkeeper comes up big again, this time denying Lukaku after he had linked up brilliantly with Martinez.

89' SAVE! That’s a huge stop from Tatarusanu, who gets his angles right to deny Martinez, with the forward having raced clear into the area.

C. Eriksen

M. Brozović

88' The break in play allows Conte to make a change, and it is Eriksen – the much-maligned playmaker who may yet move away from Inter this month – coming on for Brozovic.

88' Poor from Vidal! He had the ball in a dangerous position, but dragged his shot well wide.

87' It’s pinball in the Milan area, as Inter manage to keep a move alive with a series of headers, yet the Rossoneri are standing firm. However, once they get the opportunity to have the ball, they simply don’t have the energy to get upfield.

Samu Castillejo

A. Saelemaekers

85' A second change in quick succession for Milan sees the ineffective Saelemaekers make way for Castillejo.

R. Krunić

Rafael Leão

85' It isn't Kessie who comes off, but instead Leao, with Krunic introduced.

84' Milan are preparing another change, with Kessie struggling. In the meantime, Leao races clear on the counter and attempts to combine with Rebic, but his pass is a poor one and goes straight to Handanovic.

81' CHANCE! Sanchez drills in a cross which De Vrij meets, but the centre-back only manages to slice his effort up and Tatarusanu is able to get there, winning a foul from Lukaku in the process.

80' And we are finally back under way, with a different referee. Inter are straight back on the attack, winning a corner on their right flank.

77' Well, this really isn’t something you see every day! The referee is unable to continue, and he is handing things over the fourth official. There'll be plenty of stoppage time!

75' Some remarkable scenes at San Siro, and it appears the referee has sustained an injury! He has gone to the sidelines for treatment, but he may well have to come off – the fourth official is warming up.

73' It was certainly not the most convincing of finishes from Lukaku, but Inter have got their goal regardless, and a numerical advantage. As it stands, however, we are heading for extra-time.

R. Lukaku

Penalty Goal

71' GOOOOAAAALLL!!! LUKAKU SCORES! The penalty had so much power behind it that it went high to the left-hand corner, with Tatarusanu lunging the wrong way. The ball hit the bar, but bounced in nevertheless. It’s 1-1!

70' It’s given! The referee ran to the screen and deems that Leao’s touch on Barella was enough to warrant a penalty, and it’s Lukaku – who was of course involved in that earlier bust-up with Ibrahimovic – who will take it.

69' Penalty.... or not? Barella goes down under pressure from Leao, who lunged in and left his right leg trailing. The referee did not give it initially, but will check with VAR…

L. Martínez

I. Perišić

67' That miss is Perisic’s last involvement. Martinez comes on in his place.

66' Rebic concedes another free-kick, this time down the left flank. Kolarov delivers the cross, but it is cleared by the first man. Sanchez picks up the scraps and puts in a much better cross, yet Perisic sends his header onto the roof of the net.

A. Rebić

Yellow Card

64' Indeed, Rebic has received a booking for that tackle.

64' It’s all-out attack now for Inter. Hakimi is having plenty of joy down the right wing and cuts inside to find Brozovic, whose strike is blocked. Barella latches onto the loose ball, but is clattered into by Rebic, who concedes the free-kick and is lucky not to get a booking.

62' Should Inter find an equaliser and this game finish square after 90 minutes, then extra-time will be required. If the scores are still level with 120 minutes gone, then it will be penalties.

A. Rebić

Brahim Díaz

60' Pioli makes an immediate change. Rebic, capable of playing out wide or up front, will come on and fill in up top. Diaz is the player to make way.

58' IBRAHIMOVIC HAS BEEN SENT OFF! Well, out of nothing, Inter have been given a lifeline. Milan’s goalscorer and the difference-maker in this match so far has received his second booking, having gone in on Kolarov. It appeared very harsh, with Kolarov seemingly clipping his own heels, but it has fooled the referee and now it’s advantage Inter!

57' Barella is down in a heap after a crunching challenge from Hernandez. The Inter midfielder will not require treatment, but did take a big hit there.

55' Hakimi has been a major improvement on Darmian, and he picks out Lukaku with a cross, but the striker’s effort is blocked.

54' Inter have dominated the ball since the restart. Indeed, in the 46th to 50th minute, they had 63.5 per cent possession, with Milan camped firmly in their own half.

M. Brozović

Yellow Card

52' Milan steal back possession and look to get away on the break, with Leao driving the charge. Brozovic, though, halts the attack in its tracks, and gets a booking for his troubles.

50' CHANCE! Inter go short from the corner and recycle possession around the right flank until Hakimi gets the space to drill in a cross. Sanchez meets it first time, forcing Tatarusanu into an acrobatic stop at his near post.

48' Kolarov goes for goal from a free-kick, though it was from a tight angle and his effort was never likely to beat Tatarusanu, though the Milan goalkeeper took no chances.

47' Perisic gets down the left wing and is in plenty of space. However, his cross is a poor one and floats harmlessly to Tatarusanu.

46' KICK-OFF! Back up and running at San Siro. Lukaku and Ibrahimovic are both back on, and it looks like things have calmed down over the interval, though it will be interesting to see what happens if those two clash again!

A. Hakimi

M. Darmian

46' A change at half-time for Inter, with first-choice right-back Hakimi on in place of Darmian.

Inter have certainly been the better side but trail heading into the second half and Conte will have to ensure his team keep a lid on their emotions or this derby could get messy. Pioli, meanwhile, knows Milan will have to be better on the ball if they are to keep their rivals at arms’ length.

Well, the referee appears to have cut the half short as tempers really were threatening to boil over. Lukaku is clearly furious, and apparently his ire is directed at Ibrahimovic, whose goal separates the sides as it stands. Lukaku’s team-mates and the Inter staff are having to hold him back as the teams head down the tunnel.

45' + 1' HALF-TIME: INTER 0-1 MILAN.

45' + 1' Inter eventually take the free-kick, with the ball cleared as far as Brozovic, whose wicked volley soars just wide of the upright.

R. Lukaku

Yellow Card

45' Lukaku, too, will go into the book.

Z. Ibrahimović

Yellow Card

45' There’s a real disagreement between Lukaku and Ibrahimovic, who went head-to-head – literally – as Milan prepared to defend a free-kick. The Rossoneri goalscorer has received a booking.

42' Milan work a decent move out to Hernandez, who tries to stand up a cross to Ibrahimovic. Perisic gets there first, though the offside flag then stops the move anyway.

40' Inter are now back on the front foot, looking to haul themselves level before half-time arrives. That could just open the door for Milan to strike on the counter, however.

38' NO PENALTY! Inter want a spot-kick after Sanchez’s header strikes Hernandez, but the referee is having none of it, and the official then blows up for a foul on Leao. VAR checks for the penalty, but there was no handball.

36' Ibrahimovic’s goal came from just his fourth touch in the box. The 39-year-old – a former Inter player of course – has now netted 11 times in all competing this season.

34' That goal has really settled Milan, it seems, with Pioli’s team now taking more care of the ball and making Inter chase it down and expend some energy.

S. Meïté

Assist

31' It was truly sloppy defending from Inter. They cleared Diaz’s initial cross but failed to close down Meite, who nodded it into Ibrahimovic’s path, with Kolarov then failing to apply enough pressure.

Z. Ibrahimović

Goal

31' GOOOOAAAALLLLL!!! MILAN TAKE THE LEAD! Against the run of play, it’s the Rossoneri who hit the front. Diaz’s free-kick was poor, but Milan kept up the pressure – Meite heading it to Ibrahimovic, who takes a few touches to set himself before arrowing a low finish in off the left-hand upright.

30' Diaz does well to relieve some pressure and win a free-kick high upfield. Milan needed that!

28' Milan have really struggled in the last 15 minutes, and Inter are running the show, with Barella, De Vrij and Perisic all going close in the last few moments.

25' Inter have certainly gained a foothold in the game now, and are edging the possession (53.1 per cent). It is Conte’s team who are applying the pressure at the moment.

24' GREAT SAVE! That’s excellent goalkeeping from Tatarusanu, who stretches out his left leg to deny Lukaku – the Inter striker having cut onto his left foot and thumped a low effort at goal. Perisic keeps up the pressure with a great cut back, but Romagnoli diverts Lukaku’s effort over.

22' Tomori’s first involvement is to get in tight on Sanchez, and attempt to nick the ball. He doesn’t manage to do so, but that’s a promising show of intent from the Chelsea loanee.

F. Tomori

S. Kjær

20' Here is the on-loan defender, who gets his first chance in Italy in what is undoubtedly one of the biggest games.

19' Well, here’s a first change, with Kjaer having pulled up with an apparent hamstring injury, and that will mean a debut for Tomori, who is ready to come on.

S. Kjær

Yellow Card

17' A first booking of the game goes to Kjaer, who dived in on Sanchez. The centre-back had to attempt a tackle, or the Inter forward would have been in on goal.

14' CHANCE! Leao whips in a brilliant cross which Ibrahimovic attacks. He gets a touch on it and Diaz is following up, but the Real Madrid loanee just can’t get on the end of it.

12' Barella has the chance to lead a counter and does so brilliantly, twisting away from several Milan midfielders before finding Lukaku, but his cross – aimed for Perisic – is wayward.

9' Dalot gets off a shot from distance, but it is blocked by a crowd of Inter defenders. So far it’s the Rossoneri who have had more of the ball, with Inter happy to play on the break it seems.

7' Milan are five-time Coppa Italia winners, though their last triumph came in 2002-03 – they have since featured twice in the final, in 2015-16 and 2017-18. Inter, meanwhile, won the last of their seven Coppa Italia titles back in 2011.

5' Inter go short from the set-piece, rather catching Milan cold, but the Rossoneri manage to recover and clear their lines at the second attempt.

4' Now it’s Inter’s turn to attack, as Perisic latches onto Lukaku’s crossfield pass before squaring up Dalot and dropping in a cross which Kjaer does well to clear for a corner.

2' CLOSE! That’s a wonderful, slick move from Milan and the only thing lacking was the finish. Hernandez burst forward and found Saelemaekers, who laid it off to the onrushing Leao 20 yards out, but the youngster’s effort skimmed just wide.

1' KICK-OFF! We are up and running at San Siro. This is a game that would have drawn a raucous crowd but, alas, there are still no supporters allowed as the world continues to battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

These two great rivals have shared 12 Coppa Italia triumphs in the past, though their glories have of course been confined to history in recent seasons. They are both back to challenging for top honours this term, though one of them will head out tonight. Milan won the first league derby of the 2020-21 campaign, so Inter will be looking for vengeance.

Stefano Pioli makes five changes from the side that started against Atalanta, with suspended goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma among those to drop out. Mario Mandzukic came on as a second-half substitute on Saturday, yet he does not make the bench today, though new arrival Tomori is among the substitutes.

MILAN SUBSTITUTES: Davide Calabria, Samu Castillejo, Ante Rebic, Jens Hauge, Pierre Kalulu Kyatengwa, Fikayo Tomori, Daniel Maldini, Rade Krunic, Antonio Donnarumma, Andreas Jungdal.

MILAN (4-2-3-1): Ciprian Tatarusanu; Diogo Dalot, Simon Kjaer, Alessio Romagnoli, Theo Hernandez; Soualiho Meite, Franck Kessie; Alexis Saelemaekers, Brahim Diaz, Rafael Leao; Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Four changes from Conte, who sticks with his usual system. Martinez, Young, Hakimi and Bastoni drop out, with Sanchez, Perisic, Darmian and Kolarov coming in.

INTER SUBSTITUTES: Stefano Sensi, Andrea Pinamonti, Christian Eriksen, Daniele Padelli, Andrea Ranocchia, Ashley Young, Alessandro Bastoni, Achraf Hakimi, Konut Radu, Lautaro Martinez, Roberto Gagliardini.

INTER (3-5-2): Samir Handanovic; Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij, Aleksandar Kolarov; Matteo Darmian, Nicolo Barella, Marcelo Brozovic, Arturo Vidal, Ivan Perisic; Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez.

Milan suffered just their second league defeat of the season on Saturday, going down 3-0 to Atalanta, while Inter were held to a 0-0 draw by Udinese, with coach Conte seeing red late on.

It’s Inter v Milan at San Siro, and not only are the two famous rivals going head-to-head in this competition, but they are also engaged in what is turning out to be an enthralling title race in Serie A, with the Rossoneri just two points ahead of Antonio Conte’s team at the top of the standings.

Welcome to live coverage of the Coppa Italia, and what a quarter-final tie we have to bring you today, with a Milan derby on the cards!

Internazionale v Milan Live Commentary, 1/26/21

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