Serie A
Result: AC Milan 0-2 Inter Milan
Date: 21 September 2019
Venue: San Siro
Romelu Lukaku found the back of the net in his first Milan derby as Inter Milan reclaimed top spot in Serie A with a 2-0 victory over AC Milan on Saturday night.
Inter welcomed back Diego Godin to the defence after the experienced Uruguayan missed their UEFA Champions League opener against Slavia Prague. Meanwhile, the Rossoneri were reliant on Suso's creativity and on Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek's killer-instinct to unlock that defence. Antonio Conte's charges were on the front foot in the early stages and they nearly went ahead in the 18th minute after Lautaro Martinez sent Romelu Lukaku through on goal but the Belgian's low shot was saved by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Nerazzurri thought they had finally found the breakthrough ten minutes before the break after Martinez slotted home a rebound from D'Ambrosio's initial strike but the goal was disallowed for an offside in the build-up. Inter were quick off the mark in the second stanza as Marcelo Brozovic finally broke the deadlock four minutes after the break with a deflected strike past Donnarumma, following a set-piece situation. Conte's men were defending deep in their own half after going 1-0 up, inviting danger from Milan and they needed fresh legs in midfield with 18 minutes remaining, as Stefano Sensi was withdrawn for Matias Vecino. With 12 minutes remaining, Lukaku handed Inter a two-goal cushion after the Belgian powered home a neat header to the far post, following a pin-point chip by Nicolo Barella. Theo Hernandez almost pulled a goal back for the hosts with four minutes remaining, but his left-footed strike at the near post rattled the near post as Conte's men held on for that takes his charges to the top of the pile with a perfect 12 points, while the Rossoneri dropped down to ninth with six points.
