Inter Milan retained the Supercoppa Italiana in stunning fashion as a 3-0 victory over rivals AC Milan in a one-sided Derby della Madonnina saw the Nerazzurri secure a record-equalling seventh triumph in the competition.In a 234th meeting between the two rivals and a first in Saudi Arabia, it was Inter who made the dream start with the opening goal inside ten minutes. A brilliant first-time pass from Edin Džeko released Nicolo Barella in behind the Milan defence, and the Italian midfielder unselfishly laid the ball across the box for Federico Dimarco to power into the net.Buoyed by the early breakthrough, the Nerazzurri looked full of confidence, and duly doubled their advantage in the 21st minute, when the influential Džeko cut inside Tonali and fired a clinical strike into the far corner beyond Ciprian Tătărușanu. In a wide open first half, both sides missed chances before halftime – the best of which fell to Lautaro Martínez, who was inches away from converting an inviting Henrikh Mkhitaryan delivery.The Rossoneri emerged after the restart eager to gain a foothold in the contest, however wasteful finishing from both Ismaël Bennacer and Rafeal Leão only added to their growing frustration. At the opposite end, Inter continued to look threatening in the final third, but a crucial last-ditch block from Simon Kjær denied Martínez from pulling the trigger inside the six-yard box.With 25 minutes left on the clock, Stefano Pioli introduced Charles De Ketelaere and Divock Origi in an attempt to overturn the two-goal deficit. However, it was Inter who added a decisive third late on, as Martínez held off the challenge of Fikayo Tomori, before clipping a delightful finish over Tătărușanu to seal a historic victory for the dominant Nerazzurri.SUPERCOPPA ITALIANAAC Milan – Inter Milan 0-3 (0-2)/Dimarco 10, Dzeko 21, Martinez 77/La #SupercoppaItaliana è nostra. Aga🏆n.#ForzaInter #IMInter pic.twitter.com/cr4VflkOfY— Inter (@Inter) January 18, 2023
