Manchester City Completes Historic Treble as Fans Laud UCL Hero Rodri vs. Inter
Jun 10, 2023
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - JUNE 10: Jack Grealish (far right) of Manchester City celebrates the opening goal scored by Rodri of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 final match between FC Internazionale and Manchester City FC at Atatuerk Olympic Stadium on June 10, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Thanks to a 68th-minute goal by midfielder Rodri, Manchester City defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the UEFA Champions Final on Saturday and become only the second English football team to win the treble.
After winning the English Premier League with 89 points this season and beating rival Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup Final, City needed a Champions League Final win to complete the second treble in English football history, joining the 1998-99 Manchester United squad.
Many marveled at City's historic treble on Twitter, in addition to applauding Pep Guardiola for becoming only the second manager to accomplish the feat twice in Europe:
City were playing in only their second-ever UCL Final, and they broke through with their first Champions League title by virtue of a timely Rodri goal.
Rodri broke the tie in a tightly contested affair during the second half when the ball came toward him near the top of the box, and he curved it around two Inter defenders:
Rodri’s second-ever Champions League goal was one to 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 🚀
The 26-year-old midfielder from Spain scored only two league goals this season, but on Saturday he netted what was by far the biggest goal of his career.
Manchester City fans celebrated across the globe and heaped praise on their hero on social media:
With their win, City became the third different EPL team to win the UCL in the past five years, joining Liverpool and Chelsea.
As for Inter, they were denied their eighth all-time UCL or European Cup title and are now a runner-up for the fifth time.
Even in defeat, Inter Milan have the second-most Champions League or European Cup titles ever, behind only Real Madrid's 14.
Inter were playing in their first UEFA Champions League title since 2010, which was also the last time they won the title.
City have been the Premier League's dominant team in recent years, winning three consecutive EPL titles and five of the past six, and while they were never able to parlay that into UCL glory, the drought is finally over.
Champions League Final 2023: Date, Venue, Predictions for Manchester City vs. Inter
May 17, 2023
Manchester City's Erling Haaland, right, and his teammates celebrate their third goal during the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Manchester City is onto the Champions League final after dispatching Real Madrid 4-0 in the second leg of their semifinal matchup to win 5-1 on aggregate. They will take on Inter Milan, which defeated A.C. Milan 3-0 on aggregate to safely move to the final round.
The two winning sides will now face each other on Saturday, June 10 at Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET (10 p.m. local time).
Per DraftKings Sportsbook, Manchester City is a heavy -400 favorite ($400 bet to win $100) to beat Inter Milan. It's easy to see why, starting with prolific goalscorer Erling Haaland.
The Premier League's all-time single-season goalscoring leader (36 and counting with three matches left) has been a superstar in Champions League as well (12 goals in 10 appearances).
Thanks largely to his efforts, Manchester City hasn't needed to break much of a sweat in the Champions League. They've outscored their opponents 31-5 overall, knocking out Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig along the way.
Manchester City's tremendous depth shined on Wednesday, showing that they don't need Haaland to show up on the scoresheet to dominate.
The defense, led by Kyle Walker and John Stones, neutralized the fantastic Real Madrid attack. Real Madrid possessed the ball just 41 percent of the time and took just three shots on goal.
On the other side of the pitch, Bernando Silva was sensational, delivering a first-half brace. Kevin De Bruyne was sensational in his own right, setting up the first goal and receiving a massive ovation from the Manchester City faithful.
The entire Etihad sings Kevin De Bruyne's name as he comes off the pitch.
Simply put, it will be a tall order for Inter Milan to hang with Manchester City, especially with there being doubt about Henrikh Mkhitaryan's availability after he was forced off the pitch due to injury before halftime of the second leg on Tuesday. Mkhitaryan scored Inter Milan's second goal in the 2-0 win in the first leg.
Luck has also been on Inter Milan's side to a certain extent. According to Football Reference, Inter Milan has had a smaller expected goal amount than its opponent in five of its 10 Champions League wins or draws.
On the flip side, Inter Milan has held its opponents scoreless in five or six knockout round matches. Lautaro Martínez has also scored some clutch goals for the team, including one in the 74th minute of the second leg against A.C. Milan that all but put that match away.
Ultimately, the Champions League final isn't a lock for Manchester City by any means even if it is the heavy favorite. Inter Milan can come out and play the game of their lives, or Manchester City can struggle mightily. Anything can happen in a single match.
However, on paper, the guess is Manchester City wins fairly comfortably. They are simply too good everywhere on the pitch and have the best player in the world right now, and that should be enough. The pick is for Manchester City to win 3-1.
Manchester City is looking for its first-ever Champions League crown. They've reached the final once, losing 1-0 to Chelsea in 2021.
Inter Milan is a three-time European champion, taking the then-European Cup in 1964 and 1965. They won the Champions League in 2010 versus Bayern Munich, marking the last time a Serie A club won it all.
Top Winners and Losers After Champions League Semi-Finals Leg 2 Results
May 17, 2023
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Bernardo Silva of Manchester City celebrates scoring the second goal with Erling Haaland during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Manchester City FC and Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium on May 17, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Manchester City are inevitable.
Pep Guardiola's charges rollicked past Real Madrid on Wednesday, winning the second leg of their Champions League semifinal 4-0 and taking the overall tie on aggregate, 5-1.
So, it's a matchup with Inter Milan in the final for the Premier League dynamos. Below, we'll break down the day's winners and losers.
Winner: Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva almost singlehandedly put this tie away in the first 45 minutes, scoring a pair of beautiful goals that left Los Blancos stunned.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 17, 2023
World Cup winner Julián Álvarez comes off the bench and seals it for Man City. 🕸 pic.twitter.com/it0IPjQgJv
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 17, 2023
"City were far better than us, congrats to them," Dani Carvajal told reporters after the match. "We will come back stronger and work to be in another final soon."
And it could have been worse, were it not for the heroics of Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who stymied Erling Haaland on three separate occasions:
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 17, 2023
This was utter domination from City. They outshot Real Madrid 16-7 (8-3 on goal). They held 60 percent of possession and had seven corners to just three for Los Blancos. On every level, they controlled this game.
The kindest thing to say to Real Madrid here is that it was *only* 4-0 on the night
The defense, in particular, was carved to shreds. Real Madrid have been stingy against opponents in past roads to glory, but the proverbial dam broke on Wednesday.
Winner: Pep Guardiola
Guardiola is one of the most decorated and respected managers around, but for all of the talented squads he's overseen and domestic success he's had, European glory has eluded him since winning the competition twice with Lionel Messi and Barcelona.
This season, though, it appears the silverware will be his once more.
Video verdict from The Etihad… Man City were sensational. They’ve produced some fabulous displays under Pep Guardiola, but this was up there with the very best. Now the Treble surely beckons… https://t.co/mLX1eAaMan
Yes, Manchester City have the most talented squad money can buy. The talent on the pitch is almost suffocating for opponents. Haaland is the most prolific goal-scorer in the world, while Kevin De Bruyne might be the most complete midfielder in the game.
The club has so much depth that Phil Foden—a star in his own right—came off the bench Wednesday.
But City have been talented in the past and never tasted European glory. Finally, barring a shocking upset at the hands of Inter, it appears Guardiola will end that drought and once again win a UCL title outside of Barcelona.
Loser: Real Madrid's UCL Run of Dominance
Real Madrid have won five European titles in the past 10 seasons, an astonishing run. But Wednesday felt like a spiritual end to that dominance.
It wasn't just that City's extravagantly expensive operation dominated them on the pitch, but it's also that a core group of Karim Benzema (35), Toni Kroos (33), Luka Modrić (37) and to a lesser extent Courtois (31) isn't exactly getting younger.
The writing was on the wall a year ago. Real Madrid completed 3 straight miracles in the Champions League but never really dominated those ties.
Florentino Perez didn't want to see it and Madrid stayed put in the market.
Majestic , masterly Manchester City. Real Madrid hardly laid a glove on them tonight. But doubt any other team would have done. They were that good. Sensational display.
Real Madrid have the resources and appeal to retool around a new generation of players. Their well-documented pursuit of Kylian Mbappé surely isn't finished.
However, it feels like the current core may have finally run its course.
Champions League Results 2023: Top Scorers, Odds After Semi-Final Leg 2 Scores
May 17, 2023
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates their teams third goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Manchester City FC and Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium on May 17, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Manchester City has loaded its trophy case under manager Pep Guardiola, but the UEFA Champions League Final is the one big match it has not won yet.
City will play its second UCL final in three years against Inter Milan in Istanbul, Turkey on June 10.
Guardiola's side is the favorite to win the competition, and if it cashes in on that status, it could complete the season with three trophies.
City can secure the English Premier League crown this weekend, and it will play against Manchester United in the FA Cup Final on June 3.
Inter could be going after a double in Turkey if it beats Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia final on May 24.
The Nerrazurri have a deeper history in European competitions. They are after their third UCL title in their fifth final appearance.
One part of the trophy ceremony is already ensured, as Erling Haaland heads to Istanbul with a four-goal lead in the Golden Boot race. He has scored 12 times, while no Inter player has more than four in the competition.
UCL Semifinal Leg 2 Scores
Manchester City 4, Real Madrid 0 (Manchester City advances 5-1 on aggregate)
Inter Milan 1, AC Milan 0 (Inter Milan advances 3-0 on aggregate)
Manchester City's complete domination of reigning champion Real Madrid on Wednesday night makes it the favorite to win the Champions League.
There is potential for Haaland and Co. to win the elusive title in dominant fashion after they eliminated all three of their knockout-round foes by three or more goals over two legs.
City defeated Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, behind two tremendous home performances.
The Etihad Stadium side defeated the German giants 3-0 in the first leg of the quarterfinals and put four past Los Blancos on Wednesday.
Inter can draw some solace in the fact that it does not have to make the trip to the Etihad for the final and all of the pressure will be on the English side.
Guardiola won four EPL titles, four EFL Cups and one FA Cup since becoming City manager in 2016. He could have another EPL and FA Cup crown on his resume by the time the UCL final rolls around.
However, the Champions League title he won twice with FC Barcelona has eluded Manchester City despite all of its success in domestic competitions.
Haaland was viewed as the missing piece to the team's European domination, and he has proved to be just that so far.
The Norway international has produced a dozen goals in this year's competition, and he received support from 10 other scorers in the City squad, including Bernardo Silva, who scored twice against Madrid on Wednesday.
Manchester City has yet to be shut out in a single game in the knockout phase. FC Copenhagen and Borussia Dortmund held the English side scoreless in a pair of 0-0 draws in the group stage.
Inter's defense produced five clean sheets in six knockout-round matches, and that form must carry over into Istanbul to slow down Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and City's other attacking stars.
Simone Inzaghi's men came through a group that included Bayern and Barcelona, but it had an easier path to the final than City, as it faced FC Porto, Benfica and AC Milan.
Inter's attack is capable of matching City's unit on its best day. Lautaro Martínez is the star in the final third, and he has been regularly joined by Edin Džeko in the starting lineup.
Inter's wild card is Romelu Lukaku, who is finally in form after dealing with injuries, and he provided an assist to Martínez in Tuesday's win over AC Milan.
A Martínez-Džeko or Martínez-Lukaku combination could hurt the City defense, and Inter does have the luxury of bringing one of those two forwards off the bench.
The San Siro side has four matches left to test out the right attacking combination. It has three games in its Serie A season and the Coppa Italia final next Wednesday.
Manchester City also has three league matches and a cup final to deal with before it faces Inter.
As long as its squad stays healthy, we should see Haaland, Silva, De Bruyne and Jack Grealish line up in the front four, as they did on Wednesday. That's been the combination Guardiola stuck with.
City can also turn to Julián Álvarez and Riyad Mahrez from the bench to provide an attacking spark if need be.
City could travel to Istanbul with two trophies already in hand this season, but the one that matters most is the one it has not won yet, and Inter will be a formidable foe at the Atatürk Stadium on June 10.
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Top Winners and Losers After Tuesday's Champions League Semifinals Leg 2 Results
May 16, 2023
MILAN, ITALY - MAY 16: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League semi final leg 2 football match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy on May 16, 2023. (Photo by Piero Cruciatti/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The king of Milan has been crowned, and Inter are standing tall.
The Serie A giants vanquished their hated rivals AC Milan for a second straight time in the Champions League semifinals, this time 1-0, to complete a 3-0 aggregate victory. That booked Inter's place in the UCL final against either Manchester City or Real Madrid.
Below, we'll break down the day's winners and losers from derby day.
Winner: Lautaro Martínez
Inter ultimately didn't need Lautaro Martínez's second-half goal, given the defensive dominance, but it definitively secured the club's place in Istanbul for the UCL final and allowed the celebrations to begin in earnest.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 16, 2023
It shouldn't come as a surprise that Martínez was among the heroes—he just seems to have AC Milan's number:
Inter Milan shuts out AC Milan for a 4th straight game for the first time in team history, and will play a UCL final for the first time since winning the competition in 2009-10.
Only Giuseppe Meazza (12) and István Nyers (11) have more derby goals for Inter than Lautaro's 8. pic.twitter.com/Q8IIGApt3p
8 - Against no other opponent has Lautaro Martínez scored more goals for Inter than he has against Milan (8); indeed, he's the top scorer against Milan across all competitions since joining his current club in 2018. Favourite. pic.twitter.com/ra72kd4ZxK
To get shut out across two legs on a stage this large—and against your rival, no less—is a tough pill to swallow for AC Milan.
In the first leg, AC Milan's attacking struggles could be somewhat forgiven, as star winger Rafael Leão missed the game due to injury. And it was Leão who provided one of the biggest moments of threat for AC Milan in this match:
All in all, a shocking display of ineptitude from AC Milan's attackers and midfield. That, paired with some fantastic goalkeeping and defending, was the perfect recipe for a two-leg shutout.
Winner: Inter's Recent Rivalry Dominance
Inter Milan have now beaten AC Milan five times in the past seven matchups between the clubs, with a draw as well. This season alone, Inter have defeated AC Milan four times.
And yes, that includes four straight clean sheets. Total dominance from Inter, and you can be sure the supporters won't soon be quiet about ending AC Milan's European dreams in shutout fashion.
Loser: Stefano Pioli
Before the match, the AC Milan manager was asked by reporters how he slept on Monday night and responded that he "slept well knowing that I could be the happiest or the most disappointed coach in the world tonight."
It's probably safe to assume that he's settled on the latter.
This was a pretty rough display from AC Milan, which were outshot 15-5, only managed one effort on target and had fewer corners than Inter (5-3). All of that while holding 56 percent of possession.
It’s great to reach a Champions League Semi Final, but the way this is going Milan probably wishing they could have skipped this.
— Maximiliano Bretos (@MaxBretosSports) May 16, 2023
And now Milan are in danger of not returning to the Champions League next season, as they currently sits in fifth place in Serie A and four points behind fourth-place Lazio. Failing to return to UCL action next season would be a major disappointment, especially considering the club's six-year Champions League drought before last season.
So it might end up being a sleepless few weeks for Pioli.
Rafael Leão, Struggling AC Milan Ripped by Fans for Champions League Loss to Inter
May 16, 2023
MILAN, ITALY - MAY 16: Olivier Giroud comforts Rafael Leao of AC Milan after a missed chance during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 16, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
AC Milan came up short against rival Inter in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League Semifinal second leg, falling 1-0 in the match and losing 3-0 on aggregate.
Tuesday's match continued a disappointing stretch for AC Milan, as it has lost to Inter in each of their last four meetings. The team struggled mightily with its offensive attack, failing to get a shot on goal in the second half.
Leading scorer Rafael Leão was next to nonexistent for AC Milan. He recorded more fouls (three) than shot attempts (one). He missed his lone attempt to the right of the net in the 38th minute.
Lautaro Martínez put in a goal for Inter in the 74th minute, and that was all that was needed as Andre Onana recorded his second straight clean sheet.
Fans on Twitter were not happy with Leão and the rest of AC Milan for their performance against their rival on Tuesday and in the semifinal overall:
Really thought we’d get more fight out of Milan this evening. Have barely laid a glove on Inter over two legs - would’ve been more fun with Napoli there I reckon.
Leão missed the first leg with an injury, but fans still expected more from the attacker after he agreed to a contract extension last week that ties him to the club until June 2028.
Inter will be playing in the UCL Final for the first time since 2010. The team awaits the winner of Wednesday's semifinal between Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Top Winners and Losers After Champions League Semifinals Leg 1 Results
May 10, 2023
MILAN, ITALY - MAY 10: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with teammate Edin Dzeko during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at San Siro on May 10, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli - Inter/Inter via Getty Images)
The first leg of the Champions League derby semifinal went to Inter Milan, and it wasn't particularly close.
Internazionale smacked around AC Milan, 2-0, putting themselves in an excellent position to advance to the final against either Manchester City or Real Madrid.
Below, we'll take a look at the day's winners and losers.
Winner: Edin Džeko
It didn't take long for Inter Milan to take command of this match, thanks to an absolute wonder strike from the seemingly ageless Edin Džeko:
If you’d have told me 5 years ago that Mkhitaryan would be scoring in a Champions League semi final in 2023 I would have probably passed out on the spot.
Sometimes, heroes come from unexpected places. You probably didn't have "Mkhitaryan scoring in the semifinals" on your UCL bingo card to start the season, but here we are.
Loser: AC Milan's Defense
Pick your adjective of choice for the Milan defense in this match, namely in the first half: Poor. Unacceptable. Porous. Drowsy. Disengaged.
Footy Twitter had a few of their own:
HT 0-2 Inter. Milan have looked miles off it. Generally a fan of Tomori - think Southgate should have given him more of a chance for England by now - but he's been embarrassed by Dzeko and Martinez so far here. Saelemaekers struggling to replicate Leao's threat.
AC Milan are just shocking here. Being ripped apart by Inter . Dissolving defence. Pen incident hugely contentious. It was a soft one , but there was no clear error on the original decision because Martinez was pulled back.
— Jan Aage Fjørtoft 🇳🇴 (@JanAageFjortoft) May 10, 2023
The fact that AC Milan had only conceded one goal in their previous six UCL matches made Wednesday's result all the more shocking. This simply wasn't the defensive effort anybody was expecting.
Loser: AC Milan's Pride
That defensive breakdown was joined by what almost felt like an apathetic approach in the midfield, and a general flatness across the board.
And this wasn't just a Champions League semifinal first leg, it was also a derby game against a hated rival, and one who has now beaten AC Milan four times in the past six matchups, with one draw in the mix.
But AC Milan simply weren't up for it, at all.
Milan's midfield has been totally dominated. Tonali fell asleep tracking Mkhitaryan's on the 2nd goal. Inter have physically decimated Milan, who've been soft all night. Disorganized, zero structure. One must question the preparation here. #UCL
Inter have a washed-up Mkhitaryan + Calhanoglu in midfield. They have a 37-year-old Dzeko up top. They have Darmian & Acerbi in defense. Yet, Milan have gone from wanting to win > hoping for a draw > praying not to get embarrassed in the first half. Shameful and disgusting. #UCL
Obviously, AC Milan have the chance to save face and move on to the UCL final with huge performance next week in the second leg. But they dug themselves a deep, deep hole.
Champions League Results 2023: Top Scorers, Odds After Semifinal Leg 1 Scores
May 10, 2023
Inter Milan's Edin Dzeko, right, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between AC Milan and Inter Milan at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, May 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
The final four teams in the 2023 UEFA Champions League field have completed the first leg of their semifinal matchups, and with a berth in the final on the line, the second legs should be even more entertaining.
Real Madrid and Manchester City played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg on Tuesday at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, with Vinicius Jr. and Kevin De Bruyne tallying goals.
Inter Milan defeated AC Milan 2-0 in the first leg of their semifinal matchup on Wednesday at San Siro Stadium, with Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan each scoring.
With the first leg of the semifinals in the books, oddsmakers have adjusted the betting lines accordingly with just three matches remaining in this year's Champions League tournament.
When Vini Jr. opened the scoring in the first leg of Tuesday's match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in the 36th minute, doubt clouded the idea that the Citizens could avenge their 2022 semifinal loss to Los Blancos.
After a disappointing first half for Manchester City, the club came out with a strong second half that saw Kevin De Bruyne unleash a rocket from outside the penalty area to tie the match 1-1.
It marked De Bruyne's 11th goal for Manchester City in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, which is the most by any City player in the tournament's history, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
Although Manchester City and Real Madrid enter the second leg of the semifinals on equal ground, the Sky Blues have the upper hand as the second match will be played at Etihad Stadium, their home field.
Manchester City will be looking for Erling Haaland, the Premier League's leading goal scorer, to rise to the challenge in the second leg and get the club into the Champions League final for the first time since 2021.
Real Madrid will be aiming to win back-to-back Champions League titles and their sixth since 2014.
Inter Milan, meanwhile, defeated rival AC Milan 2-0 on Wednesday at San Siro Stadium, putting the club in a solid position entering the second leg of the semifinals later this month.
Inter came out quick in the first leg, with Edin Dzeko scoring in the eighth minute and Henrikh Mkhitaryan following it up with a goal of his own in the 11th minute to give the Nerazzurri a 2-0 lead and put AC Milan under pressure early.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 10, 2023
AC Milan was unable to recover from those two early goals and now face an uphill battle with the second leg coming later this month. The Rossoneri have not reached a Champions League final since 2007, when they defeated Premier League side Liverpool to claim the title.
Inter Milan last reached the Champions League final in 2010, when they defeated Bundesliga side Bayern Munich to win the title.
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Džeko, Mkhitaryan Praised by Fans After Inter Earn UCL Leg 1 Win over AC Milan
May 10, 2023
MILAN, ITALY - MAY 10: Edin Dzeko of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at San Siro on May 10, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Tullio Puglia - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
A pair of goals within the space of three minutes propelled Inter Milan to a 2-0 victory in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals against AC Milan.
Some fans might have still been settling in when Džeko put Inter ahead 1-0 with an eighth-minute goal. Henrikh Mkhitaryan added a second in the 11th minute after running through the middle of Milan's defense and getting on the end of a low pass from Federico Dimarco.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 10, 2023
Based on the identity of the goal scorers, you'd be forgiven for thinking you had tuned into a UCL game from 2013 rather than 2023. Džeko and Mkhitaryan might be into their mid-30s, yet they remain capable of delivering on the biggest stage.
Dzeko was scoring 36 goals in elite European football 15 seasons ago, and he’s still rocking about at the highest level of club football, scoring crucial goals.
Inter Milan was a bit unlucky not to get a third. Hakan Çalhanoğlu had a shot hit off the post in the 16th minute, and a penalty on Simon Kjær was overturned after a video review later in the first half.
For A.C. Milan, the absence of Rafael Leão loomed large. Though a two-goal defeat was better than the result was shaping up to be early on, Rossoneri mustered little attack without their Portuguese attacker.
Inter have a washed-up Mkhitaryan + Calhanoglu in midfield. They have a 37-year-old Dzeko up top. They have Darmian & Acerbi in defense. Yet, Milan have gone from wanting to win > hoping for a draw > praying not to get embarrassed in the first half. Shameful and disgusting. #UCL
Despite finishing with 57 percent of possession, AC Milan failed to register a single shot on target in regulation, with its lone effort on target coming in second-half stoppage time. That can't be blamed entirely on Leão's injury.
The Milanese rivals will face off again May 16, with Inter identified as the home side for the second leg.
The Champions League has seen bigger comebacks than a team erasing a 2-0 deficit, but the gap between Inter and Milan felt much larger than the scoreline based on how Wednesday unfolded. Milan manager Stefano Pioli and his staff have their work cut out for them over the next week.
Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti: 'Referee Didn't Pay Attention' in Manchester City Draw
May 9, 2023
Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (L) and Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti hug prior the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 9, 2023. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was not pleased with the officiating in Tuesday's 1-1 Champions League semifinal draw against Manchester City
In particular, he was miffed with the ball appearing to go out of play before Kevin De Bruyne's second-half equalizer.
"The ball was off the pitch," he told reporters. "That's it. Technology said it. I don't understand why VAR didn't check it. The referee didn't pay attention to many things tonight."
The ball appeared to go out of play in the buildup before Kevin De Bruyne's equalizer against Real Madrid.
The primary counterargument to Ancelotti is that the goal itself still ultimately came after a Real Madrid turnover, which arguably created a new sequence of play.
