Late derby drama keeps Inter on Napoli’s heels in tight Serie A title race

MILAN: Inter Milan were given a let off on Sunday night when they snatched a late 1-1 derby draw with AC Milan while league leaders Napoli were held by a late goal at Roma.

Reigning champions Inter remain three points behind Napoli who looked to be heading five clear as they led in Rome until Angelino volleyed in a stunning leveller in the first minute of added time to make the score 1-1.

Angelino´s strike gave even more significance to Stefan de Vrij´s last-gasp equaliser at the San Siro. The defender forced home Nicola Zalewski´s knock-down just as it looked like Tijjani Reijnders´ opener would be enough for Milan.

“I can only applaud my team for the way they played, unfortunately they weren´t able to get that bit of luck,” said Inter coach Simone Inzaghi, who believed his team should have had a penalty in the second half for a foul on Marcus Thuram.

“I can understand the referee not seeing it... but those who are sat down (in the VAR booth) can´t not call the referee. “It´s the third or fourth time it´s happened and it´s starting to annoy me.” Inter dominated but Milan hung on to stay eighth, five points behind Juventus, who beat Empoli 4-1 in the day´s early game.

For Milan, Netherlands midfielder Reijnders netted his 11th goal of the season on the rebound at the end of a lightning counter-attack after Yann Sommer palmed out Rafael Leao´s low cross.

To lose to that goal would have been a sucker-punch for dominant Inter who had three goals chalked off while Yann Bisseck, Thuram and Denzel Dumfries all hit the post in the second half.

But another Dutchman in De Vrij pounced at the death to silence a packed San Siro. The stadium was dominated by Milan fans but missed some of its colour due to a police ban on pre-match fan displays as part of a crackdown on the hardcore ultra supporters of the two clubs.

“I don´t think we played very well in possession, we had to be more calm on the ball because there were some opportunities,” said Reijnders to DAZN. “If we stay more cool in these kinds of situations we can control the game more, unfortunately that didn´t happen tonight.”