AC Milan 0-2 Inter Milan: 'Worse Than AC Milan's Wildest Dreams' But Will Inter Have 'Big Regrets'?

Inter Milan were initially awarded a penalty when Lautaro Martinez went down under a challenge by Simon Kjaer, but it was overtuned after a VAR review

For one team, it was a nightmare start.

After weeks of hype about the first Milan derby in the Champions League since 2005, AC Milan trailed 2-0 inside 11 minutes.

This had not been the plan. Before kick-off, the ‘home’ supporters – both legs will be played at San Siro – unfurled a giant display of a devil’s face, along with the words: “Hell is empty, all the devils are here!”

But it was quickly heaven for Inter fans, thanks to goals for Edin Dezko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

“Everything that could have gone wrong for Milan has done,” said former AC Milan goalkeeper Asmir Begovic at half-time.

“It is an absolute disaster and one in their wildest dreams they could not have imagined.”

Former England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said on BT Sport: “That performance from AC Milan is so far away from semi-final level at this Champions League, it was frightening.”

However, after a host of missed Inter Milan chances and a controversial video assistant referee decision, have AC Milan been handed a lifeline they didn’t deserve?

‘AC Milan had stage fright’

A Milan derby is always a memorable occasion but one in a European competition is something to savour.

Only twice before Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg had AC Milan faced their fierce city rivals Inter on the continental stage and both sets of supporters were determined to make the most of it.

AC Milan, the designated home team at the San Siro stadium the two sides share, had by far the greater number of fans inside. A wall of noise, red smoke flares and large banners made for an intimidating atmosphere.

But it was the away side who came out swinging. After racing into a two-goal lead, they also hit the woodwork through Hakan Calhanoglu as AC Milan were left exposed time and time again.

Inter even had a first-half penalty awarded to them for a foul on Lautaro Martinez before the decision was controversially overturned following a VAR review.

Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi said: “We played a brilliant first half, but it’s a tight scoreline for what we did out there.

“It’s a hugely positive night which gives us a lot of satisfaction but we’re missing one more piece to attain a dream that we believed in since August.”

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch said on BT Sport: “I found it bizarre for AC Milan to be so passive. Inter could have been out of sight. The best thing to come out of tonight’s performance for AC Milan is it’s only 2-0. Defensively they were all over the place.”

Ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand added: “Inter came out like a bunch of sprinters at the Olympics and AC Milan had stage fright.”