Inter vs Milan 1-2: Giroud Sudden Brace Turns the Tide

The Derby di Milano was perhaps Milan’s last chance to give Inter a run for their money along the path to the Scudetto. The verdict of the derby is that the battle for the Serie A title is still wide open as Milan came from behind to shock the Nerazzurri and reduce their gap from the top-ranked city rivals to one point (as they wait for Inter to play their postponed game with Bologna).

The Rossoneri risked ending up ripped to pieces as Inter totally dominated the first half and took the lead with Ivan Perisic. However, Simone Inzaghi’s side will have a hard time understanding how could it happen that Milan made a comeback literally out of nowhere, courtesy of two goals from Olivier Giroud in the space of two minutes that basically reanimated the race for the title just when it seemed over.

A derby is always a derby and nothing should be taken for granted. This edition of the Derby della Madonnina surely lived up to the hype.

Simone Inzaghi had the odds in his favor as he deployed his usual Inter lineup with the exception of Matteo Darmian, who was replaced by Denzel Dumfries at right wingback.

Stefano Pioli was hoping to recover Fikayo Tomori at center back and Zlatan Ibrahimovic upfront but neither of them made it. The real surprise in Pioli’s lineup, however, was the returning Frank Kessié taking Brahim Diaz’s spot behind forward Olivier Giroud.

Inter Dominates First Half as Maignan Does Damage Control

The first 45 minutes with an eleven-men show powered by those wearing the black and blue jerseys. Inter came up against the Rossoneri pushing from both flanks as Davide Calabria and Theo Hernandez struggled to control Ivan Perisic and Dumfries’ assaults. 

An offside call saved Milan early in the game as Dumfries stood over Hernandez and headed the ball home on Mike Maignan’s near post. The Dutchman’s goal was disallowed but that was just the beginning.

On 10 minutes, there were more woes for Milan: Kessié’s deflection from a Marcelo Brozovic shot wrong-footed Maignan, but the Frenchman still managed to pulled off the save and keep the score unchanged for the moment. Next in line was Nicolò Barella, who combined with Lautaro Martinez before firing a shot that sailed off target – but not too far from it.

Dumfries tried to make it to scoresheet again as he received a Lautaro filtering pass in the box after Romagnoli failed to clear it. The wingback’s shot was powerful but not angled and offered Maignan another chance to shine.

The first and only test for Samir Handanovic came on 34 minutes. It was a powerful Sandro Tonali shot from outside the box that gave the Slovenian goalie some reason for concern, offering him a chance to prove that at 37 he can still make a difference.  

It was a short-lasting variation, though, as Inter quickly came back in control and deservedly had their first of the night. First, a new Lautaro shot drew another save from Magic Mike. From the subsequent corner kick, however, Perisic turned Hakan Calhanoglu’s suggestion into a clinical shot into the bottom right corner of the net.

Maignan still had some work to do before the break to prevent things from getting worse for Milan. If the Rossoneri went to the locker room only goal down was due to their goalie’s perfect timing in anticipating Calhanoglu with a courageous slide tackle on the edge of his area.

Giroud Killer Brace Turns the Tide for Milan

Overconfidence played a nasty trick on Inter as the Nerazzurri saw the stracittadina slipping out of their hands in the space of three minutes and without any warning sign. Perhaps it was due to Simone Inzaghi’s overcautious approach as the black-and-blue boss decided to pull Calhanoglu and Perisic out of the game too soon.

Pioli’s changes, on the other hand, really turned the tide for Milan as Brahim Diaz – who retook his natural “number 10” spot over Kessié – finally restarted to make an impact like he used to do early in the season.

And so, after 35 more minutes played at high intensity but with no scoring chances to report, the Rossoneri had their equalizer as Brahim picked Olivier Giroud in the box with a brilliant diagonal pass. The former Chelsea striker, who had been nowhere to be found up to that point, stretched his leg long enough to push the ball past Handanovic as the Inter defense vainly called for an offside position.

Three more minutes, and Inter’s sudden blackout resulted in the Diavolo pulling off another one. This time, it was Calabria to pick Giroud in the box, offering him a chance to put his natural born striker instinct to use. Giroud turned inward and found the right corner past Handanovic (who should have done better in the occasion…), also besting Stefan De Vrij in the process.

A chaotic final assault from Inter didn’t bear any fruit as Maignan didn’t suffer any more threat from the Nerazzurri. Referee Marco Guida blew for full time after five minutes of stoppage time where Theo Hernandez picked a red card and Handanovic vainly tried to join his teammates on the front line for one last push.

 

MATCH SCORECARD

February 5, 2022 – Serie A 2021-2022 Matchday 24
INTER – MILAN 1-2

SCORERS: 38′ Perisic (I), 75′ Giroud (M), 78′ Giroud (M)