AC Milan produced one of the most thrilling come-from-behind victories in recent football history, triumphing over eternal rivals Inter Milan with a scoreline of 3-2 to claim the Supercoppa Italiana at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The match, which saw Milan rally from two goals down, showcased not only the intensity of the storied Milan derby but also the indomitable spirit of the Rossoneri.
The match kicked off with high anticipation as both teams were vying for the first major trophy of the season. From the outset, it was Inter Milan who took control. Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring just before half-time after capitalizing on a defensive error by Milan, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Mike Maignan with precision. Inter's dominance continued in the second half when Taremi doubled their lead, leaving Milan fans despondent and seemingly extinguishing any hopes of victory.
Yet, just when it seemed all was lost for Milan, the tactical substitutions made by manager Sergio Conceicao began to pay dividends. Rising star Rafael Leao, who came off the bench, proved to be the catalyst his team needed. The turning point arrived at the 50-minute mark, where Leao won a free kick on the edge of the box. Theo Hernandez stepped up and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot, bending it past Inter goalkeeper Jonas Sommer to ignite hope within the Milan camp.
With renewed energy, Milan pressed forward, and their relentless pursuit of goals paid off once again—this time through Christian Pulisic, who scored the equalizer at the 79th minute. He expertly controlled the ball from Hernandez’s pass and slotted it home, sending their supporters wild with excitement.
Despite the harsh realities of football, Inter Milan was not ready to concede defeat easily. They continued to battle hard, with several near-misses, including shots hitting the woodwork, but it would be Milan's night. The match entered its closing stages, and tensions rose as players on both sides found themselves on the edge of exhaustion.
The intensity of the encounter reached its peak deep within injury time when, with the clock running down to 93 minutes, Leao played a precision ball to Tammy Abraham. Positioned just two yards out, Abraham gleefully tapped the ball home, completing the stunning turnaround. Milan had gone from trailing 2-0 to leading 3-2, turning the match on its head within the space of just 40 minutes.
“The match showed we never gave up, and that's what Milan is about,” said Sergio Conceicao, the manager of AC Milan, reflecting on the historic victory. Meanwhile, star player Christian Pulisic enthused, “We believed even when we were down, and that's what champions do.” The sentiment was echoed by Tammy Abraham, who after scoring the winner, remarked, “This trophy means everything to us, and we’ll keep fighting.”
On the opposing side, Simone Inzaghi expressed his disappointment at the outcome. “We had the game under control but couldn't finish; we need to learn from this,” he lamented. His players fought valiantly, but it was clear the emotional toll of conceding so late was going to haunt them for some time.
The match itself was not merely about the title but underscored the renewed rivalry between these two clubs, with Milan once again asserting its position as one of the giants of Italian football. Coming after their dramatic victory over Juventus to qualify for this match, the Milan triumph is shaping their resilience as they navigate what promises to be another challenging season.
The victory also marks a stellar start for Conceicao, who has proved himself as the right man for the job by orchestraling dramatic comebacks. After this latest win, it’s clear his leadership will be pivotal as AC Milan pushes forward, ready to contend for more titles this season.
For Inter Milan, the focus will now shift to regrouping, with their next match coming up quickly against Venezia, where they’ll look to regain their form. But this Supercoppa defeat will linger, forcing them to confront not just their mistakes but how they recover from such bitter disappointment.
With another chapter written in the storied history of the Derby della Madonnina, AC Milan's comeback victory stands as a reminder of the unpredictability of football and the spirit of competition. The Rossoneri take home the Supercoppa Italiana, but as always, this thrilling match will be remembered for years to come.