Calhanoglu Saves Inter with Late Equaliser in First Leg of Milan Derby Coppa Italia Semi-Final

AC Milan have extended their unbeaten streak against Inter Milan to four matches for the first time in two decades, following a gripping 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final, setting up an intriguing second leg.

Inter Milan struck first, registering the initial shot on target within nine minutes, forcing Mike Maignan to make a smart save from Joaquin Correa’s effort outside the box. Shortly after, a crucial clearance by Tammy Abraham on the goal line denied Stefan de Vrij the chance to put Inter ahead with a header from a whipped free-kick by Hakan Calhanoğlu.

Rafael Leao had a quiet game until the 26th minute when he became the first Milan player to challenge goalkeeper Josep Martinez, who cleverly used his boot to block Leao’s close-range attempt.

Martinez displayed his quick reflexes again moments later, keeping out another effort from Abraham, while at the other end, Maignan was forced to push a swerving set-piece from Çalhanoğlu over the bar. Soon after, the Milan goalkeeper was alert enough to repel a bouncing header from Davide Frattesi, who might feel he should have scored.

The match began to pick up pace as the first half wore on, though both managers, Sergio Conceição and Simone Inzaghi, might have hoped for more attacking flair from their teams as they approached the interval.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 47th minute when a pass from Alex Jimenez found Youssouf Fofana, who set up Abraham. The English striker deftly took a touch before confidently drilling the ball into the far corner past Martinez.

While Inzaghi may have been frustrated with his side’s defending on that play, he would have been heartened by their rapid response; Nicolo Barella’s curling effort was parried by Maignan before Hakan Calhanoğlu equalised in the 67th minute with a powerful strike from 25 yards out, set up by Correa.

The game could have flipped in the 79th minute when a cross from Marcus Thuram deflected off Théo Hernandez’s heel, landing at the feet of Nicola Zalewski, who was thwarted instinctively by Maignan.

Leão nearly secured a spectacular winner for Milan with a curling shot, but ultimately neither team could clinch a lead heading into the second leg, marking the sixth consecutive Derby della Madonnina in which both teams have scored.