Dimarco and Nkunku score as Milan derby ends level in Perth

AC Milan and Inter drew 1-1 in a pre-season derby at Optus Stadium. Federico Dimarco opened the scoring for Inter after the interval. Christopher Nkunku replied for Milan during the closing minutes.

The match brought both Milan clubs to Perth during their summer preparations. It remained level at half-time before two experienced attackers changed the score. Neither side found a second goal before the final whistle.

The first half ended without a goal

Milan and Inter began with several senior players and some younger options. Both teams moved the ball at a steady pace. The first half produced chances but no finish. Inter used Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolo Barella and Federico Dimarco from the start. Francesco Pio Esposito led their attack. AC Milan included Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia and Samuele Ricci. The derby setting gave the friendly more intensity than a normal training match. Challenges remained competitive, but both teams also protected players during pre-season. Several changes were prepared for the interval.

Inter lost Yann Bisseck after an injury during the opening period. The defender left the pitch before the match reached its main scoring phase. That change altered the visitors’ defensive group. The teams reached half-time at 0-0. Milan then introduced Nkunku and Pervis Estupinan. Inter brought Henrikh Mkhitaryan into midfield for the second half.

Dimarco finished Inter’s best move

Inter took the lead eight minutes after the restart. Barella supplied the final pass from the right area. Dimarco arrived in space and completed the attack with a controlled finish. The goal reflected Dimarco’s attacking role. He started as a wide player but moved forward whenever Inter established possession. His run gave Barella a clear passing option. Milan responded by keeping more players near Inter’s penalty area. Nkunku offered movement between the central defenders. Estupinan provided another route on the left side.

Inter also changed several positions as the match progressed. Hakan Calhanoglu and other senior options received minutes later. The substitutions reduced the rhythm at times but kept the contest balanced. The one-goal margin lasted through most of the second half. Inter protected the centre, while Milan continued to search for a clean final pass. The equaliser arrived late rather than through constant pressure.

Nkunku answered during the closing minutes

Nkunku scored for Milan in the eighty-fourth minute. The forward had entered at half-time and stayed near the centre of Milan’s front line. His finish brought Milan level with little time remaining. The goal gave Milan a reward for their second-half work. Nkunku’s movement had asked different questions of Inter’s changed defence. He used the late opening without needing another touch. Inter tried to restore the lead before the whistle. Milan remained compact and avoided another clear chance. The match therefore ended with one goal for each club.

Dimarco and Nkunku became the two scorers in Perth. Both goals came after the break and followed changes in personnel. The first half remained the only scoreless period. The final score also matched the balance of the contest. Inter held the lead for more than half an hour. Milan recovered before the match entered added time.

Perth saw a derby with two different periods

Optus Stadium provided a large setting for an Italian derby outside Europe. The teams treated the occasion seriously while continuing their summer workloads. Supporters saw familiar players from both clubs. Inter produced the sharper moment soon after half-time. Barella and Dimarco combined for the opening goal. Milan’s changes then became more important as the second half developed. Nkunku completed the response with his late equaliser. His goal prevented Inter from turning a narrow lead into a derby victory. The final minutes did not produce another major change.

Both clubs used the fixture before their next pre-season matches. Inter remained in Australia for another Italian opponent. Milan continued its own programme after a competitive ninety minutes. The result was simple and complete. Inter scored through Dimarco after fifty-three minutes. Milan answered through Nkunku in the eighty-fourth minute, and the derby finished 1-1.

The scorers arrived from different positions

Dimarco began the match as Inter’s left-sided player. His role allowed him to join attacks after the team moved possession forward. Barella recognised the run and supplied the final pass. Nkunku entered from the bench and played closer to Milan’s central attack. His fresh movement became important against a defence that had already changed. The substitute completed the equaliser late in the game.

Their goals gave the second half a clear pattern. Inter struck soon after the restart. Milan needed more than half an hour to answer. Both teams avoided a late defeat after the score became level. The last phase contained effort but no third goal. Perth therefore saw a draw between the two city rivals.