Luka Jovic’s Double Dazzles as AC Milan Shock Inter in Derby to Secure Coppa Italia Final Spot

Luka Jovic netted two goals as AC Milan triumphed over their fierce rivals, Inter Milan, for the third time this season, booking their spot in the Coppa Italia final. The Rossoneri sealed a convincing 3-0 victory in the semi-final second leg, extinguishing Inter’s hopes of repeating their treble-winning glory from 2010.

This season has seen Inter reclaim their status amongst Europe’s elite, but the next week holds significant weight in revealing their true position.

With a UEFA Champions League semi-final and a tightly contested Serie A title race against SSC Napoli approaching, they faced the immediate challenge of this second leg against Milan, starting on top and seemingly in good form.

Matteo Darmian sent a shot wide of the far post following a determined run down the right wing, and Federico Dimarco’s similar foray on the opposite flank saw him rattle the crossbar with a powerful effort that left Mike Maignan beaten.

The best chance of the first half fell to Lautaro Martinez, who failed to make the most of a clever header from Medhi Taremi, poking the ball over the bar with a disappointing first touch.

Despite a lack of opportunities, Milan held their own in midfield. Thus, it was perhaps inevitable that they would capitalise on their rivals’ missed chances, delivering a setback to Inter on 36 minutes.

In a standout moment, Tijjani Reijnders orchestrated a superb build-up, setting up Alex Jimenez, who provided a pinpoint cross for Jovic to rise above the defenders and power a header past Josep Martinez.

After managing to equalise following an early disadvantage in the first leg, Inter had hopes of bouncing back, but Milan demonstrated they had learned from the previous encounter.

They wasted no time in the second half, doubling their lead within just four minutes, as Jovic slotted in his second goal from close range after a corner from Theo Hernandez deflected off Nicolo Barella.

 

Following an array of substitutions from Simone Inzaghi, his side struggled to make much of an impact, even with Stefan de Vrij’s powerful header being brilliantly saved by Maignan.

Disappointingly for them, any hope of a comeback was dashed as Sérgio Conceição’s men added a third goal before the final whistle.

A swift counter-attack saw Rafael Leao set up Reijnders, who calmly slid the ball underneath the goalkeeper to secure his team’s place in the final.

 

The Rossoneri will now look forward to facing either Empoli or, more likely, Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico, aiming to lift the trophy for the first time since 2003, while adding to their Supercoppa Italiana triumph amidst what has otherwise been a challenging season. For Inter, a second successive defeat raises concerns as they prepare for key matches against an on-form AS Roma and Champions League contenders Barcelona.

Check out the match summary here