The first Milan Derby on Australian shores ended in a 1-1 draw at Perth’s Optus Stadium in front of 52,310 spectators.
Federico Dimarco’s goal just after half time put reigning Serie A Champions Inter Milan ahead, before Christopher Nkunku equalised from the spot for AC Milan late on.
A build-up of fanfare finally turned into action on the pitch with both sides very well represented at either end of the stadium, though the black and red was noticeably more apparent, and there was a touching tribute to legendary Milan defender Franco Baresi who passed away earlier this week.
The first chance of the contest came in eighth minute when a burst from Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek released Alphadio Cisse but his left foot effort went tamely wide. They should have taken the lead four minutes later when Loftus-Cheek fed Samual Chukwueze but his cross just eluded Francesco Camarda at the back post.
The Englishman was in the thick of things for Milan, and it was from his pull back that Yunus Musah cracked a shot off the post.
Inter finally showed some attacking impotence midway through the half as captain Nicolo Barella fired high over the crossbar. At the other end, neat build up play gave Youssouf Fofana a sight of goal, but his effort was tame and straight at Josep Martinez.
Inter’s best opportunities came in the closing stages of the half as Alessandro Bastoni’s ball into the box found an outstretched Sebastiano Eposito, but he couldn’t generate the power to beat Lorenzo Torriani. The Milan goalkeeper was called into action again seconds later, this time getting down low to keep out a low volley from Piotr Zielinski.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with neither side exerting themselves too much. That changed in 52nd minute, however, when Inter pounced on a loose ball and Barella’s low cross was tapped home from close range by Federico Dimarco.
Milan looked to get back on level terms quickly and substitute Nkunku tested Martinez with a shot from distance.
Their Head Coach Ruben Amorim rang the changes just after the hour mark, turning to Luka Modric, Goncalo Ramos, and Rafael Leao, amongst others, to try find a way back into the game. The biggest cheer of the night was reserved for Croation superstar Modric when he made his way onto the pitch.
However, it was Inter who looked like scoring again as Barella fed Matteo Lavelli and his goalbound shot was pushed wide by Torriani.
As Inter replaced most of their starters, Milan pushed for an equaliser and were awarded a penalty eight minutes from time when Nkunku was bundled over the area by Carlos Augusto. Nkunku picked himself up to hammer the ball into the net to make it 1-1.
Inter came closest to winning the game as Torriani did well to get fingertips to Hakan Calanoglou’s shot, while Augusto headed over from the resulting corner. However, the sides had to settle for a stalemate.
It was the third visit to Perth in as many years for Milan who also played games here against AS Roma and Perth Glory in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
Inter, meanwhile, will go again on Saturday night as they take on Juventus at Optus Stadium.
AC Milan: Lorenzo Torriani; Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia, Strahinja Pavlovic, Samuel Chukwueze, Youssouf Fofana, Yunus Musah, Davide Bartesaghi; Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Alphadjo Cisse, Francesco Camarda.
Substitutes: Leo Paul Bouyer, Matteo Pittarella, Koni De Winter, Sankhoun Diawara, Pervis Estupinan, Filippo Terracciano, Valeri Vladimirov; Christian Comotto, Ardon Jashari, Luka Modric, Alexis Saelemaekers, Rafael Leao, Christopher Nkunku, Goncalo Ramos.
Inter Milan: Josep Martinez; Benjamin Pavard, Yann Bisseck, Alessandro Bastoni; Andy Diouf, Nicolo Barella, Aleksandar Stankovic, Piotr Zielinski, Federico Dimarco; Sebastiano Esposito, Jamal Iddrissou.
Substitutes: Raffaele Di Gennaro, Matteo Farronato, Ivan Provedel, Carlos Augusto, Leonardo Bovio, Mattia Marello, Yvan Maye, Hakan Calhanoglu, Davide Frattesi, Luis Henrique, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Petar Sucic, Luka Topalovic, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Matteo Lavelli, Mattia Mosconi.
