Goals, controversies and many, many emotions. Once again the Milan derby does not disappoint and offers 90' of entertainment, albeit more for the twists and turns than the actual technical rate of the two teams. To be precise, there were 97 minutes of fury and the number is anything but random: it was in that moment, in fact, that the first derby in the Chinese version of the story found its turning point. Zapata's goal contested by Inter because the stoppage time, initially 5 minutes, was extended by Orsato due to changes and loss of time: a dispute which, of course, continued in the press conference, ending up involving the two coaches.
“The referee informed us that he would extend the match by a minute, it was perfect – commented Montella. – In the last 20' I saw Inter continue to waste time, what Orsato did was absolutely right”. “He talks a little too often about his opponents, he should think above all about his team – Pioli retorted. – Anyway matches end when the referee blows his whistle, we should have shown more attention”.
Crazy match that of San Siro, along the lines of what happened in the first leg but this time with reversed parties. However, Milan's comeback is even more sensational: a question of strength, but also of playing time. In fact, the two Rossoneri goals both came in the final, just when Inter, evidently wrongly, now thought they had the entire stake in their pocket. A 2-0 gained in the first half, moreover after having risked going behind with Bacca, Suso and Deulofeu, close to scoring and instead authors of inaccurate shots. And so Inter took advantage of the oldest of football laws: wrong goal, conceded goal. In the 36th minute Candreva collected a pass from Gagliardini, exploited an uncertainty from the De Sciglio-Donnarumma couple and gave his team the lead, 8' later Perisic burned Calabria on the left and served Icardi a chocolate only to be discarded (44'). Double advantage to manage in the second half, at least this was Pioli's plan, who in fact removed Perisic and Joao Mario to insert Eder and, above all, Murillo. However, one more defender allowed Milan to take the field and take courage and so, in the 83rd minute, here is Romagnoli's paw (assist by Suso) to give breath to the Curva Sud and hopes to Montella. In the 97th minute, then Zapata's goal (validated with technology, first time for the Milan derby) and the consequent exultation of the entire Rossoneri world, unleashed Li Yonghong ahead.
“Now I understand their joy of going, recovering two goals in a derby is really a feat – explained the Milan coach. – For what we did it was absurd to lose, we gave a show of strength”. “It was a painful match, in which we chose to cover ourselves and then set off again - commented Pioli. – The choice was right, unfortunately, however, we were inattentive on dead balls". The Milan derby number 218, therefore, ends with a draw which, thanks to the results of Atalanta and Lazio, leaves everything unchanged in the race for the Europa League. However, there are only 6 matchdays available: that's why this 2-2 draw looks so much like a Rossoneri victory and leaves Inter with a bitter taste.
