Inter beat city rivals Milan to claim Italian Super Cup in Riyadh

RIYADH: The Supercoppa Italiana, and bragging rights, went to Inter.

In front of a crowd of just over 51,000 at King Fahd International Stadium, the Italian cup holders defeated the reigning Serie A champions AC Milan 3-0 to lift the third showpiece final to be played in the Kingdom.

This was no mid-season, warm-weather friendly.

For a start, the temperature inside King Fahd International Stardom had dipped to chilly 9C and, more importantly, no derby match between these two city rivals is ever anything less than fiercely contested, and certainly not when the first trophy of the season is on the line.

The teams came into the match with Milan second in the Serie A standings on 38 points, a hefty nine behind leaders Napoli, while Inter are in fourth on 37 points, behind Juventus on goal difference.

Inter started on the front foot and free-kick from promising position after four minutes was struck straight at the defensive wall by World Cup winner Lautaro Martinez. But their fans in the stadium didn’t have to wait long for the breakthrough.

Only 10 minutes into the match Nicola Barella broke free on the right side of the Milan penalty area and squared the ball to Federico Dimarco, whose left-finish gave Ciprian Tatarusanu in goal no chance.

The Serie A champions had their best chance of the half on 18 minutes when Portuguese international Rafael Leao’s curling shot from a tight angle was turned over by Andre Onana for corner.

Inter took full advantage of the let-off three minutes late, Edin Dzeko receiving the ball from Alessandro Bastoni inside the Milan penalty box before showing brilliant skill to cut onto his right foot and slide the ball past Tatarusanu; 2-0 and the Rossoneri were in danger of being