Coppa Italia
Result: AC Milan 1-0 Inter Milan
Date: 27 December 2017
Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
A struggling AC Milan side claimed a much-needed 1-0 win over Inter Milan in Wednesday night's Coppa Italia quarter-final clash at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza after extra time.
As if Milan's horrendous form this season, which has seen them sink to 11th in Serie A, was not enough to put them on edge; they suffered a blow ahead of kick-off. Marco Storari picked up an injury in the warm-up and was replaced by Antonio Donnarumma in goal.
Donnarumma's counterpart, Samir Handanovic, was worked in the 18th minute, making a good save to deny Giacomo Bonaventura's header from a Franck Kessié cross.
Drama followed within the next eight minutes as Ivan Perisic netted from a corner only to see his goal ruled out after a video review due to an Andrea Ranocchia offside.
Milan went straight back on the attack and Handanovic denied Suso an opener in the 28th minute, but Inter then had a penalty shout moments later. Referee Marco Guida ignored appeals for a Leonardo Bonucci handball.
João Mário squandered a glorious chance to put Inter in front in the 60th minute. After receiving the ball from Mauro Icardi, he fired straight at Donnarumma from close range.
Five minutes later, Bonaventura headed over the bar from close range after Handanovic presented him with a glorious opportunity, failing to properly punch a cross away from danger.
Milan had a penalty shout for handball of their own turned down as the clock ticked towards the final quarter of an hour of the 90 minutes of regulation time.
They went inches away from opening the scoring shortly afterwards, with Suso's deflected strike hitting the bar.
However, Luciano Spalletti's men were not content to sit back and hold on and Perisic forced a save from Donnarumma in the 87th minute. Antonio Candreva was unable to beat the keeper on the rebound.
Neither side was able to score before the full-time whistle sentenced them to 30 more tense minutes.
In the 104th minute, the deadlock was finally broken. Patrick Cutrone put Milan in front, steering home from close range with his right foot after receiving the ball from Suso.
