UEFA Champions League: How Inter’s early aggressive pressing secured victory over AC Milan in semi-final derby – tactical analysis

After a gala evening in the 236th Milan football derby, Inter are close to their first Champions League final since the last triumph 13 years ago.

In the first leg of the semi-finals, coach Simone Inzaghis team didnt give city rivals AC Milan a chance and, with a 2-0 win, created an excellent starting position for the second duel on May, 16th. Edin Džeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored for the well-deserved victory, which could have been even better.

In this tactical analysis, we will take a look at both teams tactics. As we will see in this analysis, Milan did have more possession but Inters defensive shape was a massive factor in the final scoreline.

Lineups

In the Champions League semi-final against Inter, AC Milan lined up a 4-2-3-1 with Mike Maignan in goal. The back four consisted of Davide Calabria on the right, who was later replaced by Pierre Kalulu in the 82nd minute, Simon Kjær and Fikayo Tomori in the centre and Theo Hernandez on the left.

In midfield, Sandro Tonali and Rade Krunić played as the holding midfielders, with Alexis Saelemaekers and Ismael Bennacer playing as the wide midfielders. Bennacer was substituted with an injury in the 18th minute for Junior Messias. Brahim Diaz played in the attacking midfield role, just behind Olivier Giroud, who played as the lone striker. Origi came on for Saelemaekers in the 60th minute, while Tommaso Pobega replaced Diaz in the 82nd minute.

Inter lined up a 5-3-2 with Andre Onana in goal, protected by a back three of Matteo Darmian, Francesco Acerbi, and Alessandro Bastoni. The wing-backs were Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco, who was later replaced by Stefan de Vrij. In midfield, Nico Barella was accompanied by Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who was substituted by Roberto Gagliardini in the 78th minute, as well as Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who made way for Marcelo Brozović in the 63rd minute. Up front, Lautaro Martinez was partnered with Edin Džeko, who was replaced by Romelu Lukaku in the 70th minute.

With Rafael Leão injured, the substitution options for Milan were limited, while Inter could bring in players like Lukaku and Brozović in the second half.

AC Milan’s build-up play

During the match, Inters shape was focused on limiting AC Milans play through the centre. Their midfielders didnt venture forward as much as usual and had fewer touches on the ball. From goal-kicks, Kjær and Tomori often dropped to either side of the goalkeeper, with a double pivot in support, Giroud up front, and Diaz ready to pick up a second ball after Bennacer had gone off.

In the first half, Inters press was a