Milan 2
Ibrahimovic 60; Boateng 68;
Inter 1
Sneijder 21;
Milan came from a goal down to defeat bitter city rivals Inter 2-1 thanks to a quickfire second-half double to lift the Italian Super Cup in Beijing yesterday.
Manchester United target Wesley Sneijder, whose Inter future has been subject of intense speculation, put Inter ahead on 21 minutes at the “Bird’s Nest” Olympic Stadium in the Chinese capital.
His delightful free-kick, which he bent around a two-man Milan wall and into the top corner, showed exactly why the English champions – and reportedly their money-bags rivals Manchester City – are chasing the talented Dutchman.
Inter coach Gian Piero Gasperini afterwards had to repel persistent questions about the midfield schemer’s future.
Serie A champions Milan were a different proposition in the second period, particularly after Brazilian forward Pato was sent on for his ineffectual countryman Robinho, the former Real Madrid man.
With Pato terrorising the Inter defence, Milan drew level on the hour when former Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic powered in a towering header off a pinpoint cross from ageless midfield warhorse Clarence Seedorf.
And just eight minutes later Kevin-Prince Boateng scored what turned out to be the winner in the traditional Italian season curtain-raiser after he fired in the rebound from a Pato drive that came off an Inter post.
As the clock ran down, it was Milan who looked the more likely to score, until Sneijder struck once again with just moments to go – only to see his effort disallowed for offside.
After the match, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said his team deserved to win after recovering from a stuttering start.
“We knew this was going to be a difficult game and starting the season with a derby was not easy,” Allegri was quoted as saying.
“We didn’t make a good start, mainly thanks to Inter, who wouldn’t let us keep hold of the ball.
“After Wesley Sneijder’s goal we improved and hit the woodwork, then scored twice and wouldn’t let Inter back into the game.
“I think at the end of the day we deserved this win.”
For his part, Gasperini conceded Inter lost their way after a bright first-half performance. The Inter manager also remained coy on Sneijder’s future.
“It’s a real shame, as we had the game in hand. Wesley Sneijder? We’ll see,” Gasperini said.
“We didn’t play well after the break in defence, especially compared to what we had done in the first half.
“It’s a real shame as we had the game under control and deserved to be in that position. If only we had known how to control the tempo better at the start of the second half.
“In any case, this was a wonderful experience, especially for the enthusiastic reception we received from the people who follow Inter and Italian football in China.
“In general, we had a good game, especially in the first half, so there is even more regret at not being able to win.”
Zanetti protests
Meanwhile, Inter’s Argentine captain Javier Zanetti said that Milan’s equalising goal, scored by Ibrahimovic, should have been disallowed.
“We protested because there was a free-kick in our favour that wasn’t spotted by the referee,” Zanetti told Inter Channel.
The Inter players were incensed after the goal, claiming that Milan midfielder Boateng had committed a foul on Dejan Stankovic during the chaotic build-up.
“It’s too late to complain now,” Zanetti added.
“It’s better to recognise the positive aspects of the game and work to improve the negative ones.”