Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kevin-Prince Boateng reversed Wesley Sneijder’s opener in AC Milan’s 2-1 defeat of Inter Milan Saturday in the Italian Supercup tie played in Beijing.
The Serie A champions had a sluggish start before the 80,000 fans filling the Bird’s nest stadium and fell behind on a free kick from the Dutch sharpshooter, but secured the win with a furious second half.
Milan’s sixth Supercup victory sees them move one ahead of city rivals Inter in the all-time rankings.
Under new coach Gian Piero Gasperini, Inter hardly suffered in the first half from the absences of Brazil defenders Maicon and Lucio, while Argentine players Esteban Cambiasso and striker Diego Milito were also allowed a rest after July’s Copa America.
Milan did little early in the game, save a missed shot from Robinho after a pass-and-go with Ibrahimovic, before falling behind on Sneijder’s majestic shot.
After a high drive from Dejan Stankovic, the Dutchman on 22 minutes stunned Christian Abbiati by the closest post with a swerving free kick from the top-left corner of the box.
Inter’s Argentine newcomer Ricardo Alvarez aimed high on 35 minutes and Samuel Eto’o tried from a tight angle as the Nerazzurri contained the Devils’ equalizing efforts with Gasperini’s three-man defence closely supported by the midfield.
Ibra, however, had a great chance on 40 minutes, but nodded against the post off a cross from Ignazio Abate from the right flank.
Milan veteran Clarence Seedorf and his compatriot Sneijder fired high early in the second half as Milan pressed for an equalizer that Ibra nodded home on the hour.
A hammering action allowed Robinho to set up Seedorf on the right for a precise cross that the Swede deflected into the empty net.
Massimiliano Allegri brought on striker Pato for his Brazil compatriot Robinho as Milan kept up a brisk pace and reversed on 69 minutes with Boateng’s flick after a great effort from Pato.
Julio Cesar only managed to slap his compatriot’s firm shot against the post and was helpless as the Ghanaian Boateng slid to deflect.
Striker Giampaolo Pazzini came on for Stankovic, but Inter failed to create telling troubles for the Devils’ defence.
“We knew it was a hard game,” Allegri said. “It was a derby and it was not easy to start the season with a game like this. We did not start well. In the second half we played better, with more courage.” The Chinese capital is to host two more editions of the trophy by 2014, following a deal worth about 10 million euros (14.3 million dollars) with the Serie A football league.
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