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Champions League: Inter start fast to take control of semi-final derby
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Edin Dzeko celebrates after scoring Inter Milan's opening goal against AC Milan during their Champions League semifinal first-leg match at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, May 10, 2023. /CFP
Edin Dzeko celebrates after scoring Inter Milan's opening goal against AC Milan during their Champions League semifinal first-leg match at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, May 10, 2023. /CFP

Edin Dzeko celebrates after scoring Inter Milan's opening goal against AC Milan during their Champions League semifinal first-leg match at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, May 10, 2023. /CFP

Inter Milan have one foot in the Champions League final after an impressive 2-0 win over AC Milan in the Champions League semifinal first leg on Wednesday.

Inter struck after eight and 11 minutes, with Edin Dzeko smashing in a close-range volley before Henrikh Mkhitaryan doubled the lead from Federico Dimarco's cross to stun their city rivals at the San Siro stadium.

Milan were shell-shocked and although they improved in the second half, they rarely threatened a comeback and face an uphill task to stay on course to win their eighth European Cup.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrates after scoring Inter Milan's second goal against AC Milan during the match at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, May 10, 2023. /CFP
Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrates after scoring Inter Milan's second goal against AC Milan during the match at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, May 10, 2023. /CFP

Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrates after scoring Inter Milan's second goal against AC Milan during the match at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, May 10, 2023. /CFP

"It feels very good, especially because it's a derby. We played away on paper. It's a great result for us," Dzeko told BT Sport.

"Sometimes you get in this difficult moment where the ball doesn't want to go in. Patience and work always pays off. I was calm knowing the goals would come as always."

It was the first time Inter have beaten their neighbors in a European knockout tie, with Milan progressing from both previous meetings, most recently in the 2004-05 Champions League quarterfinals.

Olivier Giroud of AC Milan reacts after missing a goal opportunity during the match at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, May 10, 2023. /CFP
Olivier Giroud of AC Milan reacts after missing a goal opportunity during the match at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, May 10, 2023. /CFP

Olivier Giroud of AC Milan reacts after missing a goal opportunity during the match at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, May 10, 2023. /CFP

"The reality is that Inter performed better in the first half, scoring two goals, while Milan showed improvement in the second half but failed to find the net," AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli told Amazon Prime Italia.

Inter host Milan in the second leg at the same venue on May 16 and the winners will face Real Madrid or Manchester City in the final.

(With input from Reuters)

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