Joel Obi forces draw in Milan derby after fine Jeremy Menez opener

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:26 am

Roberto Mancini drew his first game as Inter Milan coach on Sunday night, with Joel Obi's equaliser earning a 1-1 result at AC Milan.

Jeremy Menez put the Rossoneri ahead against the run of play early in the first half, but Obi's leveller came when the hosts were in the ascendency.

In the end, the Derby della Madonnina ended in a deserved draw, although a point did little to help either sideas they continue to lag behind their expectations this season, and behind the top six in Serie A.

Inter were calling for a penalty inside the first minute when Mauro Icardi went down under the challenge of Philippe Mexes, but the referee waved play on.

Soon after they had a much better opportunity to take the lead. Sulley Muntari played the ball straight to the feet of Icardi, who could hardly believe his luck as he was given a free run at Diego Lopez, but it was the Milan custodian who was celebrating as he blocked the Inter forward's shot with his foot.

Fredy Guarin tested Lopez once again with a curling low shot that the Spanish goalkeeper claimed at the second time of asking as Inter took the game to their hosts.

Joel Obi jumps for joy after equalising.
OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images

Milan managed to relieve themselves from the pressure in the best possible way, with a counter-attack which led to them taking the lead midway through the first half.

Stephan El Shaarawy's cross was met first time by Menez, who just guided the ball into the far corner of Sami Handanovic's goal with a side-foot volley from 10 yards.

It was a goal which changed the complexion of the game with Inter, as has often been the case this season, deflated after falling behind and Milan gathering belief.

Giacomo Bonaventura's shot deflected just inches wide of the far post early in the second half and when Milan were starting to get on top, Obi brought Inter level.

He held off Michael Essien on the edge of the penalty area from Yuto Nagatomo's pass and sent his shot low into the bottom right-hand corner of Lopez's goal.

The crossbar was struck at both ends, Stephan El Shaarawy squandering a one-on-one with Handanovic before Icardi grazed the woodwork with a shot on the turn.

El Shaarawy got into a good shooting position again late on but his effort was blocked as the game petered out, with both sides running on empty in the final stages of a draw which leaves them still off the pace in the running for places in Europe next season.