AC Milan staged a stunning comeback to defeat Inter Milan 3-2 and claim the Italian Super Cup final held at King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh, on January 6, 2025. Under the newly appointed coach Sergio Conceicao, who took the helm just one week prior, the Rossoneri delivered fireworks after trailing 2-0 at halftime.
The match kicked off with high hopes for Inter Milan, who were chasing their fourth consecutive Super Cup title. Lautaro Martinez put Inter on the scoreboard late in the first half, leveraging clever footwork to navigate through the Milan defense. His teammate Mehdi Taremi capitalized on this lead, doubling Inter’s advantage just after the break with a well-controlled strike.
But the excitement was far from over. Milan's resurgence came shortly after Taremi’s goal when they brought on Rafael Leao, whose presence would prove pivotal. Leao won a free kick just outside the penalty area, which Theo Hernandez expertly curled around the wall and past Inter's goalkeeper, reducing the deficit.
With the momentum shifting, Milan pressed hard for the equalizer and their efforts were rewarded with ten minutes left on the clock. This time, it was Christian Pulisic who displayed remarkable composure under pressure, maneuvering past three defenders to score, setting the stage for what looked like extra time.
Yet, the drama was just beginning. Milan continued to threaten Inter's defense and their persistence paid off when Leao assisted Tammy Abraham, who tapped the ball home with just seconds remaining, securing Milan’s resurgence from the brink of defeat.
After the match, Abraham praised his team's "confidence, courage, and hunger," reflecting on the drastic turnaround from the first half. "When we do what we do best, we are a strong side," he remarked, emphasizing the collective drive displayed by his teammates.
Conceicao’s quick impact as head coach was evident. The players rallied under his philosophy, which leaned more on the emotional and psychological aspects of the game rather than just tactics. Pulisic elaborated, "He told us we need to have more hunger and that's more important than tactics." Such sentiments were echoed by Hernandez, who acknowledged the players’ shared responsibility for the previous coach's departure, stating, "It’s also our fault he was fired."
This thrilling victory earned AC Milan their first trophy since 2022 and equaled them with Inter Milan's eight Super Cup titles, placing them just behind Juventus, who hold the record with nine. Inter, on the other hand, faced disappointment for only the third time this season, following this intense rivalry encounter.
AC Milan will now carry this winning momentum as they prepare for their Serie A match against Cagliari, significantly bolstered by their newfound confidence under Conceicao's leadership.
The thrilling nights of football will certainly continue as both teams look forward to the challenges of the league following this dramatic Super Cup final.