Inter didn’t need Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s red card to beat AC Milan in Tuesday’s Coppa Italia quarter-final, an Italian media report argued on Friday.
Rossoneri coach Stefano Pioli argued after their 2-1 defeat that Ibrahimovic’s second-half dismissal, when AC Milan still led 1-0 at San Siro, was the only reason Inter staged their late comeback in the Derby della Madonnina.
FCInter1908.it have rejected this theory, however, using stats from the first 58 minutes of the game – up until Ibrahimovic was sent off – to prove Antonio Conte’s side were already well on course to reverse the scoreline.
With the exception of one stat, where Inter only narrowly came out on top, they were clearly better than their city rivals in every aspect.
Inter had 16 minutes and three seconds of possession in the first 58 minutes, compared to AC Milan’s 11 minutes and 56 seconds of possession.
The Nerazzurri also had three times as many shots on goal as Pioli’s side (12 to 4), completed four successful crosses compared to three and took eight corners to zero.
Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic had 0 saves to make in the opening hour, meanwhile, compared to AC Milan’s Ciprian Tatarusanu who had four.
Romelu Lukaku and Christian Eriksen completed the comeback for Conte’s men, who will now face Juventus in a two-legged semi-final over the next fortnight.
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