MILAN: Inter Milan’s cha­n­­ces of a treble remain alive, as do AC Milan’s hopes of sneaking into Europe after the city rivals drew 1-1 in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final tie on Wednesday as Tammy Abraham and Ha­kan Calhanoglu scored in the second half at the San Siro.

Abraham gave Milan the lead just after the break, finding the net with an angled shot into the bottom corner, before Calhanoglu’s powerful long-range effort in the 67th minute made sure that Inter would head into the tie’s second leg later this month with the scores level.

Serie A leaders Inter, who on Tuesday travel to Bayern Munich in the Champions Lea­g­ue quarter-finals, are bidding for their first treble in 15 years.

“It was an even game. Milan had a few chances and so did we, but in the second half we played a bit better,” said Calhanoglu. “It was important to not lose today because we still have the other match to play.”

For Sergio Conceicao’s Mi­l­an, who sit ninth in Serie A five points off the European spots, success in the domestic cup remains their best chance of qualifying for Europe next season. The Coppa Italia winners automatically go into the Europa League league phase.

“It was a good game against a difficult opponent. We had to play well defensively and that’s what we did, so I’m happy,” said Conceicao. “I’m happy with the approach to the match and we have to keep it up.”

Milan have struggled of late but they took the lead in the 47th minute. Inter midfielder Davide Frattesi tried to challenge Youssouf Fofana on the edge of the area but the ball came through to Abra­ham, who fired home a low strike.

Inter intensified their efforts and Calhanoglu equalised with a 20-yard effort that squirmed under Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

The winner of the tie will likely play Bologna in next month’s final in Rome after Vincenzo Italiano’s team comfortably beat Empoli 3-0 on Tuesday night.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2025