The Derby in Perth ends 1 - 1: Nkunku levels Dimarco's opener

PERTH – The first Derby of the season may not have had points or trophies at stake, but it still delivered the kind of emotions that only a meeting between Inter and AC Milan can produce. Optus Stadium in Perth provided the setting for the friendly between the Nerazzurri and Rossoneri, which began with both teams gathered in the centre of the pitch around Franco Baresi's number 6 shirt, laid on the ground in memory of the legendary Milan captain who passed away on 31 July. The match ended 1-1, with Federico Dimarco and Christopher Nkunku on the scoresheet after 90 minutes played largely at the measured pace typical of pre-season football, punctuated by occasional bursts from both sides. Cristian Chivu will have taken some important indications about his team's fitness levels with 17 days to go until their league opener, ahead of the final friendly of the tour, when the Nerazzurri will face Juventus on Saturday 8 August.

THE MATCH

A packed stadium, choreographies, fireworks and a pre-match show inspired by Australian Aboriginal culture preceded the Australian and Italian national anthems as Optus Stadium provided a spectacular backdrop for the Derby between Milan and Inter. On the pitch, however, the opening stages were played at a much slower pace. The two sides sounded each other out and created little, although Milan made the brighter start with organised pressing and direct attacking moves. Loftus-Cheek was heavily involved and created the best chance of the first half in the 18th minute, breaking clear down the right. The Englishman drove into the box, cut back inside and laid the ball off to Musah, who arrived at pace and struck the post to Martinez's right. Inter began to take control around the 25-minute mark, moving the ball around and looking to release their wide players into crossing positions. Towards the end of the first half, two deliveries from Bastoni caused problems for the Rossoneri defence. Pio Esposito got a touch to the first, while Zielinski met the second on the volley, but both efforts ended up in Torriani's arms.

The pattern changed after the restart. Inter came out with greater aggression, raising both the tempo and the intensity of their press, and it was Pavard winning the ball back in midfield that sparked the move for the Nerazzurri opener. The Frenchman found Lavelli, who had just come on, on the edge of the box. The forward did brilliantly to hold off his marker before threading a pass through for Barella's run. From the right side of the area, Barella sent a low ball across goal into the path of Dimarco, who only had to turn it home. Inter took the lead in the 54th minute and almost doubled their advantage moments later when Mkhitaryan's first-time effort flashed narrowly wide. Amorim responded to his side's difficulties by making eight changes, with Nkunku, Modric, Leao and Gonçalo Ramos among those introduced. Milan soon threatened through a combination that sent the Portuguese number 10 through on goal. Provedel read the situation superbly, coming off his line early to intercept the attempted pass towards Nkunku. Chivu also rotated his side, with Calhanoglu and Bonny getting their first minutes. The game continued at a relatively subdued pace, with only occasional bursts of acceleration, before the incident that brought the Rossoneri level in the 83rd minute. Nkunku made his way into the box with Carlos Augusto tracking him. There was slight contact between the two and the referee pointed to the spot, with Nkunku stepping up to take the penalty himself. His right-footed effort was powerful and precise, leaving Provedel with no chance. Late on, Calhanoglu had the opportunity to restore Inter's lead, but Torriani produced an excellent save to turn his right-footed effort behind for a corner. Before the final whistle, Chivu was forced to substitute Bisseck after the defender came off worse following a challenge with Estupinan.

AC MILAN 1-1 INTER | TEAMSHEET

Goals: 52' Dimarco, 83' pen. Nkunku

AC MILAN (3-4-2-1): 96 Torriani; 31 Pavlovic (5 De Winter 62'), 46 Gabbia (42 Terracciano 62'), 23 Tomori (35 Vladimirov 62'); 80 Musah (30 Jashari 62'), 8 Loftus Cheek (10 Leao 62'), 19 Fofana (14 Modric 62'), 33 Bartesaghi (2 Estupinian 46'); 21 Chukwueze (56 Saelemaekers 62'), 70 Cissé (18 Nkunku 46'); 73 Camarda (9 Ramos 62'). Substitutes: 37 Pittarella, 41 Bouyer, 13 Diawara, 28 Comotto. Coach: Ruben Amorim.

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Martinez (49 Provedel); 28 Pavard (46 Bovio 76'), 31 Bisseck (48 Mosconi 94'), 95 Bastoni (30 Carlos Augusto 70'); 17 Diouf (11 Luis Henrique 70'), 23 Barella (16 Frattesi 70'), 5 Stankovic (22 Mkhitaryan 46'), 7 Zielinski (20 Calhanoglu 70'), 32 Dimarco (56 Maye 80'); 52 Iddrissou (53 Lavelli 46'), 94 Esposito (14 Bonny 70'). Substitutes: 12 Di Gennaro, 60 Farronato, 8 Sucic, 54 Marello, 58 Topalovic. Coach: Cristian Chivu.

Booked: Bisseck 36', Estupinan 90+2'

Referee: Lachlan Keevers Assistants: Ashley Beecham - Astro Sakalis Fourth official: Shane Skinner

MATCH FEED

90+5' FULL TIME: the Milano Derby in Perth finishes 1-1, with goals from Dimarco and Nkunku.

90+2' Estupiñán is booked for a late challenge on Bisseck.

90' Three minutes of added time.

89' From the resulting corner, Carlos Augusto rises highest but heads over the bar.

88' Çalhanoğlu comes so close! After sustained Inter pressure, the ball breaks to the Turkish midfielder on the edge of the box. He controls and shoots, but Torriani pulls off a miraculous save to turn it behind for a corner.

83' Penalty for AC Milan after a challenge between Carlos Augusto and Nkunku. Nkunku steps up and converts, firing a powerful spot-kick to make it 1–1.

72' Another chance for AC Milan, as a one-two sends Leão into the box. Martínez does brilliantly to dive and intercept his cross, getting there ahead of Nkunku’s potential tap-in.

70' AC Milan threaten after their substitutions, with Gonçalo Ramos driving into the box, but his shot is blocked.

65' Chance for Lavelli on the counter-attack! Played through by Barella, he gets his shot away with his left foot, but Torriani is there to make the save.

58' Chance for Inter to double their lead! Zielinski plays a perfectly weighted through ball for Diouf, who reaches the byline and picks out Mkhitaryan, but the Armenian’s low effort flashes just wide of the post.

52' DIMARCO PUTS INTER AHEAD! The Nerazzurri win the ball back in midfield, Lavelli working brilliantly with his back to goal before picking out Barella’s run into the box. The Inter captain squares it across, and Dimarco taps it home.

47' Another long ball from Bastoni finds Dimarco, who gets to the byline and swings in a cross, but the AC Milan defence is there to clear.

46' We're back! Chivu makes two changes, bringing on Lavelli and Mkhitaryan for Iddrissou and Stankovic.

45+1' It's 0–0 at half time. A low-tempo opening 45 minutes with few clear-cut chances. AC Milan had a stronger start, but Inter grew into the game as the half wore on.

45' One minute of added time.

44' Inter finish the half strongly. Bastoni delivers another cross, picking out Zielinski unmarked in the middle of the box, but the Polish midfielder's first-time volley lacks power and is comfortably gathered by Torriani.

43' Bastoni swings in a cross from deep, Esposito reaches it with his right foot, but his effort goes straight into Torriani's arms.

40' Bastoni's long pass releases Dimarco, who reaches the byline and cuts it back for Iddrissou, only for Pavlović to block. Play is then halted for Dimarco being offside.

36' Yellow card for Bisseck after bringing down Chukwueze, who was breaking down the right.

32' A more cagey spell, with Inter keeping possession while AC Milan sit back and wait.

24' Diouf's first real involvement. The Frenchman takes on Bartesaghi, gets to the byline and whips in a dangerous cross towards the far post, turned behind for a corner by the AC Milan defence.

18' AC Milan hit the post! Loftus-Cheek breaks down the right, drives into the box and pulls it back for Musah, whose first-time strike crashes against the upright.

12' Good move from AC Milan as Chukwueze sends a dangerous ball across to the far post, but Bartesaghi can't quite get there.

8' Loftus-Cheek slips Cissé through on goal, but the forward fires wide.

1' We're under way! Inter get the match started.

A touching tribute to Franco Baresi precedes kick-off, with a minute's silence observed and both teams lined up together. Every AC Milan player wears the No. 6 shirt in his honour.

The teams take to the pitch following an opening ceremony inspired by Australia's Aboriginal culture, before the Italian and Australian national anthems are played.

A spectacular atmosphere at Optus Stadium in Perth. Inter and AC Milan emerge to Puccini's Nessun dorma, accompanied by a dazzling light show and fireworks.