One last push: Inter boss and players ecstatic after having one foot in the Champions League showdown
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 11.05.23. | 11:05
Simone Inzaghi's boys outplayed Rossoneri but now have to prove they're capable of going all the way
Simone Inzaghi hailed an 'extraordinary first half' performance from Inter to beat Milan 2-0 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
However, the Nerazzurri's boss warns they need 'one more push to make this dream come true' of reaching the UCL showdown.
It could not have been a better start for them, as Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored in the opening 11 minutes.
It seemed as if they would go on to score more, especially when Hakan Calhanoglu thumped the upright, but it stayed 2-0 until the end.
"I am very satisfied. The first half was extraordinary, and we really could've scored more than two goals," Inzaghi told Amazon Prime Italia.
"It was a great game, we have already gone through several rounds, so we know it's only half-time. We will have our fans behind us in the second leg and know there is still one more push to make this dream come true."
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Inter confirmed their excellent record in defence in the Champions League with yet another clean sheet.
"The lads covered every corner of the pitch, they helped each other out, and we know the job is not done yet."
Unlike his coach, Mkhitaryan doesn't want to speak or even mention the UCL final. Inter have one foot in the showdown, which would be their first since winning the Treble under Jose Mourinho in 2010.
"I don't want to think about this. We need to be concentrated on the next match and then will see if we reach the Final or not."
Mkhitaryan received the Man of the Match award from UEFA.
"The credit goes to my teammates, not just me.
"From the first minute, we had this extreme hunger to win the game, which we proved in the first half," the ex-Roma midfielder told Amazon Prime.
"We controlled it more after the break and I congratulate my teammates, but the job is not done, we have a big match coming up next week."
Tifos at AC Milan-Inter last night were suitably impressive for the occasion.
— Terrace Edition (@TerraceEdition) May 11, 2023
To even think of demolishing the San Siro is bordering on sacrilege.
Protect the stadium of the people.#milaninter #uclpic.twitter.com/pPqxdsRotH
They could have scored even more and play the second leg next week with an even bigger advantage, but Mkhitaryan clearly sees the glass half full.
"We had the chances to score more goals, unfortunately we have to be satisfied with two and hope to score more in the second leg."
The return leg will be played next week, on Tuesday, May 16, and the winner will face Real Madrid or Manchester City in the Final in Istanbul on June 10.
