Five goals, emotions and endless twists: the first derby of the Madonnina of the season is tinged with AC Milan and smiles at Milan, who beat Inter 3-2 dragged by a devastating Leao, author of a brace and assist for Giroud.
On the other hand, Brozovic's momentary opening advantage and Dzeko's goal of hope are not enough.
Pioli momentarily flies alone at the top of the standings at 11 points, leaving Inzaghi at 9 and with the second knockout of the season in his pocket.
Kick-off, Pioli launches De Ketelaere with Messias and Leao behind Giroud, Inzaghi relies on the Argentine tandem: alongside Lautaro Martinez is Correa.
The first shot, however, is from Brozovic who shoots from an excellent position but a deflection of the defense saves Maignan's goal.
On the other hand, Leao's right-footed shot engages Handanovic while on the pitch the duels start and the tension rises.
It is an immediately lit and balanced start but in the middle of the fraction Inter's advantage arrives: Lautaro protects the ball well in midfield and entrusts it to Correa who immediately verticalizes to reward Brozovic's central insertion.
The Croatian cuts between the two AC Milan midfielders and doesn't just make a mistake in front of the goalkeeper.
The reaction of the Italian champions is immediate but Giroud's flying turn goes off target.
In any case, the Nerazzurri's advantage lasted just 7 minutes because Tonali took advantage of a mistake by Calhanoglu to propitiate Leao's 1-1: violent right-footed diagonal from the Portuguese, Handanovic touches but not enough, the ball hits the far post .
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Marcelo Brozovic Milan vs Inter goal 0-1
The match suddenly overturns, Inter lost their way and Milan tried to take advantage of the hot moment, touching on at least two occasions the counter-overtaking with Theo and De Ketelaere.
A matter of time because in the second half it takes less than 10 minutes to see Milan's advantage: Leao catches Giroud in the area, the Frenchman throttles his left foot which becomes unstoppable.
Six minutes later the roles are reversed and it is the former Chelsea with the flying heel who serves the Portuguese, very good at passing between three defenders before putting in Handanovic again.
Inter seems dazed, Inzaghi tries to run for cover with a triple change and just the newly entered Dzeko in the 67th minute reopens the discussion, putting in the 3-2 from two steps on an assist from Darmian.
The Nerazzurri recovered their morale and a few minutes later they even went one step away from equalizing with a header from Lautaro saved by Maignan, sumptuous shortly afterwards even on a Calhanoglu fireball from distance.
In the final, the Nerazzurri attempt the last assaults and create the last chance with a right-footed shot by Mkhitaryan, which ended however by a whisker.
At the triple whistle it is a Milanista triumph.
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Rafael Leao derby Milan vs Inter 3-2 goals
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Milan Inter derby 3 September