Three posts and a lot of heart, Inter draw 1 - 1 in the derby

Right at the end, just when fate seemed to have slammed the door shut. Right at the end, because Inter never stop and don’t surrender to misfortune. The side couldn’t allow for a single post to deny them three times, to decide a derby. Right at the end, with the energy of everyone, including those who had just entered the Inter world: one night, one jersey worn and in without hesitation - with just one mission. Nicola Zalewski is one of the faces of this Inter side, on an afternoon which seemed destined for nothing but curses and frustration. Post, post and the post yet again. Three times. The scoreboard was stuck at 1-0, the clock was ticking, the desire to equalise was mixing with urgency, exhaustion and frenzy. But also with the firm conviction that no, this derby couldn’t be lost. And then it came, the goal that made the result feel a little less unjust, allowing for the players, fans and technical staff to explode with joy. A cross to the far post, chested down by Zalewski for Stefan de Vrij, a guy who knows a thing or two about derbies, a guy who always scores in these clashes.

A beautiful goal, even if it was a bit bittersweet: due to the missed chances, the undeniable bad luck, and the slight inaccuracy that left Inter trailing (Reijnders’ goal in the 45th minute of the first half). But then, we saw the desire to continue running, to leave nothing behind, to confirm that Siamo Solo Noi. It ended as a draw, but when De Vrij’s shot hit the back of Maignan’s net, there was a roar: onwards, Inter. With the strength and energy of everyone, including Nicola, who arrived on Saturday and threw himself into the fight, just like his teammates. This is Inter.

AC MILAN 1-1 INTER | LIVE TABLE

SCORERS: 45' Reijnders (M), 93' De Vrij (I) MILAN (4-3-3): 16 Maignan; 32 Walker, 23 Tomori, 31 Pavlovic, 19 Hernandez; 80 Musah (78' 42 Terracciano), 4 Bennacer (46' 20 Jimenez), 14 Reijnders; 11 Pulisic (85' 46 Gabbia), 90 Abraham (78' 73 Camarda), 10 Leao (85' 21 Chukwueze). Substitutes: 57 Sportiello, 96 Torriani, 9 Jovic, 17 Okafor, 18 Zeroli, 28 Thiaw, 33 Bartesaghi. Coach: Sergio Conceiçao.

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Sommer; 28 Pavard (63' 31 Bisseck), 6 De Vrij, 95 Bastoni (63' 30 Carlos Augusto); 2 Dumfries, 23 Barella, 20 Calhanoglu (63' 7 Zielinski), 22 Mkhitaryan (76' 16 Frattesi), 32 Dimarco (76' 59 Zalewski); 9 Thuram, 10 Lautaro. Substitutes: 13 J. Martinez, 40 Calligaris, 8 Arnautovic, 15 Acerbi, 21 Asllani, 36 Darmian, 49 De Pieri, 99 Taremi. Coach: Simone Inzaghi. Stoppage time: 1' - 5'. Booked: Bastoni (I), Dumfries (I)

Referee: Chiffi. Assistants: Carbone, Peretti. Fourth Official: Marinelli. VAR: Di Paolo. Assistant VAR: Doveri.

SUSPENDED AC Milan: Fofana (1) Inter: - CAUTIONED AC Milan: - Inter: Dumfries