Ibrahimović returns and scores 2 as Milan beats Inter 2-1

Zlatan Ibrahimović made a winning return after being sidelined with the coronavirus as AC Milan beat Inter Milan 2-1 in an entertaining derby match on Saturday.

Ibrahimović only resumed training this week after recovering from the virus but the 39-year-old Swede scored twice early on. Romelu Lukaku netted for Inter in the 29th minute.

It was Milan’s first win in the derby in the league since 2016 and sent the Rossoneri top of the table. Milan is the only team with a perfect record, having won all four of its matches this season.

Milan is three points above Atalanta, which lost 4-1 at Napoli, and five above Juventus, which visits Crotone later.

Lazio lost 3-0 at Sampdoria.

It was a strange atmosphere at San Siro with only 1,000 fans allowed in the 80,000-seat stadium because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, both teams were welcomed by hundreds of supporters as the team buses arrived at the stadium. Flags were waved, banners unfurled and fans roared their support -- through their masks.

The virus had ruled out Inter players Ashley Young, Alessandro Bastoni, Milan Škriniar, Radja Nainggolan, Roberto Gagliardini and Ionut Radu.

Milan had Ibrahimović back and the forward had an almost immediate impact.

Ibrahimović won a penalty after a reckless tackle by Aleksandar Kolarov and, although his spotkick was saved by Samir Handanović, the former Inter forward tucked home the rebound to put Milan in front in the 13th minute.

Milan doubled its lead just three minutes later with a fantastic team move as Hakan Çalhanoğlu sent Rafael Leão down the left flank and he crossed for Ibrahimović to volley in.

Inter halved the deficit when Ivan Perišić crossed for Lukaku to sidefoot home. It was the first league goal Milan had conceded this season.

Inter, which had fought back from 2-0 down to win 4-2 the last time the two sides met, almost leveled shortly after as Lautaro Martínez’s header looped over Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma but Simon Kjær cleared off the line.

The Nerazzurri should have equalized on the hour when Achraf Hakimi was left unmarked but his header flew inches wide of the left post.

Inter was awarded a penalty in the 75th after Donnarumma brought down Lukaku but the referee changed his mind after video review showed the Inter forward was offside.

ILICIC BACK

The only positive note for Atalanta from a miserable afternoon was the return of key forward Josip Iličić.

The 32-year-old Iličić hadn’t played since July and had been given compassionate leave by Atalanta because of personal issues.

Iličić started against Napoli but couldn’t prevent his team from slipping to a hefty defeat -- only Atalanta’s second loss since January.

Hirving Lozano scored twice for Napoli and there were also goals for Matteo Politano and Victor Osimhen in the first half. Sam Lammers netted a consolation for Atalanta in the 69th.

Image credits: AP