16 May 2023 , 21:55
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Inter fans unveiled an X-rated banner to Milan as their side progressed past their city rivals to reach the Champions League final.
Striker Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal of the second leg to give victory to Simone Inzaghi’s side on the night, to wrap up a comprehensive victory on aggregate.
The Nerazzurri were two goals up from the first 11 minutes of the first leg after quickfire goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan caught Milan cold.
Ultimately that opening spell in the first leg was decisive in the tie with Milan unable to recover as Inter extracted revenge for the semi-final defeat to the Rossoneri back in 2003.
This result ensured that Inter were the first Italian team to reach the showpiece event of Europe’s premier club competition since Juventus lost to Real Madrid in the 2017 final. Jose Mourinho's Inter side, back in 2010, were the last Serie A side to lift the Champions League.
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Inter fans were understandably in celebratory mood as not only did they reach the final but they did so by marching past their city rivals. Unsurprisingly, their fans took an opportunity to rub the noses of Rossoneri followers in their success.
A banner unveiled in Inter’s Curva Nord at the end of the match, directed at the 8,000 Milan fans in the ‘away’ end, read: “We are going to Istanbul you s****.” The s**** was spelt out in the red and black colours of Milan.
Inter fans in the Curva Nord were in full voice throughout the tie (Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto)Have Your Say! Can Inter pull off a shock in the Champions League final? Tell us what you think here.
Inter will go into the final against Real Madrid or Manchester City – who face each other in a finely poised second leg on Wednesday – as underdogs but their fans will have full belief in their heroes following this success, which they will savour before turning their attention to next month’s clash in Istanbul.
Simone Inzaghi’s side have built a reputation of being cup specialists – saving their best performances for knockout competitions. They are into the final of the Coppa Italia, a competition which they also won last season, while they have won each of the past two Italian Supercoppas.
The 2023 Champions League final, featuring Inter coming up against either Manchester City or Real Madrid, will take place in Istanbul, Turkey on 10 June at 20:00 BST.