Rafael Leao, who the Rossoneri relied on to turn things around badly, struggled to find space against a disciplined Nerazzurri. And it was Lautaro Martinez who popped up to extinguish Milan's last hopes with a dry strike (74th) at the end of a closed and choppy match.

Inter Milan will obviously be the underdog in the final against the stainless Real Madrid with 14 titles (the record) or the hungry Manchester City in search of a first crown in C1.

But the Nerazzurri, who did not expect such an end to the European season after inheriting in the group stage Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona, will try to assert their character and defensive solidarity, which were enough against the Rossoneri.

As against FC Porto (1-0, 0-0) in the eighth and Benfica (2-0, 3-3) in the quarters, Inter Milan managed its advantage of the first leg to ensure its qualification to a sixth final and a possible fourth title after those of 1964, 1965 and 2010.

Leao next door

If they did not have the weapons to fight with Napoli this season in Serie A, the Nerazzurri can finish the season with three titles in their pocket since they will also play the final of the Coppa Italia on May 24, against Fiorentina, after having already won the Italian Super Cup in January, already against AC Milan (3-0).

The joy of Inter Milan players qualified for the final of the Ligeu des champions, on May 16, 2023 at San Siro © Isabella BONOTTO / AFP

Against Milan, they take the beautiful European revenge after falling against the Rossoneri in C1 in their two previous confrontations, in 2003 in the semis and in 2005 in the quarters.

A year after their title of champions of Italy, Olivier Giroud, very discreet Tuesday night, and his partners end the season the morale at half-mast, already beaten four times by Inter in as many matches in 2023.

The long-awaited return of Rafael Leao, absent in the first leg, will not have been enough to accomplish this almost impossible mission: to go up two goals to an Inter in full confidence, which remains on eight consecutive victories.

The Portuguese has long seemed to be looking for his feet, starting by losing a ball and going down low, even if he almost changed the face of this match blocked on one of the accelerations of which he has the secret, concluded by a shot from close range (38th).

AC Milan striker Rafael Leao against Inter, May 16, 2023 San Siro © Marco BERTORELLO / AFP

Turpin whistled a lot

This acceleration was the Rossoneri's best opportunity of the first half with Brahim Diaz missing out, who struck far too softly on a centre back from Sandro Tonali. André Onana went to bed without problem (11th), after almost being surprised on a distant shot from Theo Hernandez (5th).

Inter, in place, was generally wait-and-see, determined to "manage" contrary to what said the day before its coach Simone Inzaghi.

In this committed match, Clément Turpin was for a long time the most prominent Frenchman on the field, with no less than 22 fouls whistled during a choppy first period where the game never picked up speed.

France's Clément Turpin referee the Madonnina Inter-AC Milan derby on May 16, 2023 at San Siro © Marco BERTORELLO / AFP

The goalkeeper of the Blues Mike Maignan, however, made him competition by coming out a new miracle stop on a deflection of the head of Edin Dzeko just before the break (41st), while Inter was finally enterprising.

Same closed game and same impotence of the Milan attackers in the second half.

A helplessness that became frustration when Inter Milan extinguished the last hopes of Rossoneri with a tense strike at the first post of Lautaro Martinez that Mike Maignan could only touch (74th).

The Argentine "Toro" can dream of lifting the Champions League a few months after conquering the World Cup. Maignan and Milan will have to work hard to now get fourth place in the league, to hope to find the C1 next season.

© 2023 AFP