Milan 1-1 Inter Notes On A Questionable Refereeing Derby Tie

Milan started with Diaz as a nominal right winger and Krunic as an attacking midfielder. It was to be seen if the line up choice was to work. A somewhat fast paced start had both teams roaming the pitch.

A first goal came for Inter. A clumsy Kessie tried to elude two Inter markers and moved towards Milan’s goal. Calhanoglu’s leg got tangled with Kessie and the referee pointed towards the penalty spot. VAR confirmed it. It was yet another bizarre exhibition in refereeing as a player in control of the ball was judged to have committed a foul. Few unbiased observers would be explain that. The replay showed that Calhanoglu’s leg was the first to move in between Kessie’s. The former Milan player converted the penalty.

The equalizer arrived soon after. A Tonali freekick was met with Tomori whose header glanced off Stefan De Vrij’s head and went in.

Further action followed. Ballo-Toure misjudged a ball and missed the Inter player. Scrambling back his foot made contact with the Inter player a second before the ball. Lautaro took on the penalty this time but his shot was saved by Tatarusanu. So it remained 1-1 and the game remained tense and on the edge of more controversy. In the dying minutes Ballo-Toure made a goal line clearance off the line to keep the score 1-1 at half time.

Kalulu came on for Ballo-Toure at half time. To Put the former in as left back was risky. Inter were the more dangerous team early on. Tonali was putting in the effort that his growing stardom shows. Saelemaekers and Rebic came on for Diaz and Leao in the 59th minute as Inter were getting corner after corner and each were being taken by Calhanoglu. Bennacer later replaced Tonali as Inter were having the better chances and Kalulu made a crucial block to save a possible Arturo Vidal, an Inter sub, goal. A freekick in the 82nd minute had Ibra force a Samir Handanovic near side low save. Bakayoko then replaced Krunic. Milan showed more urgency in the final minutes and there were several scrambling plays in the Inter box. Saelemaekers hit the post late, with Handanovic nowhere near the ball, and the rebound was wasted by Kessie.

Amid more questionable calls the derby ended 1-1.