Perisic strikes late to save Inter derby blushes
IVAN PERISIC struck a dramatic late leveller to grab a share of the spoils for Inter Milan in an enthralling 2-2 derby draw with AC Milan that saw Suso hit a brace for the hosts.
Milan, looking to move up to second behind Juventus after Roma’s 2-1 slip-up earlier at Atalanta, were seconds away from securing the local bragging rights.
Suso broke the deadlock on 43 minutes and hit a brilliant second before the hour after Antonio Candreva had given Stefano Pioli’s men hope with a wellstruck but controversial 53rdminute leveller.
However Milan’s celebration plans were promptly cancelled as Perisic, the Nerazzurri’s star player on the night, coolly sidefooted past teenaged goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from a knocked-on corner in the first minute of added time.
Milan remain third and level on points with Roma, with both seven points behind leaders Juve. Inter are up to ninth.
It was new Inter coach Pioli’s first game in charge of a Serie A club since being sacked by Lazio following a 3-1 defeat to city rivals Roma in April.
The 51-year-old saw his team dominate an enthralling opening half that had Donnarumma on his toes only for Suso to fire Milan into the lead just before the break, and he wants improvements up front.
“To score goals you need determination and a little anger, this is certainly something we have to improve on,” Pioli said afterwards.
Milan coach Vincenzo Montella said later: “The referee Inter Milan forward Ivan Perisic (right) scores during the Italian Serie A match against AC Milan at the ‘San Siro Stadium’ in Milan yesterday. had a great game tonight, but one incident was borderline.
“It’s always disappointing when you concede so late in a game but the lads should be happy with their performance, their attitude and commitment was spot-on,” said Montella.
“They’ll have a little trouble sleeping, but they shouldn’t. We’d be a lot more disappointed if we had 10 points less.” – AFP