Inter Milan overpowered AC Milan early and held on to win the first leg of their Champions League semifinal derby 2-0 on Wednesday, leaving the Nerazzurri on the brink of a return to European soccer’s showpiece event for the first time since 2010.

Edin Džeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored two goals in three minutes to put Inter firmly in command and the visitors could have added more in a dominant first-half performance.

“We had an extraordinary first half, the scoreline was tighter than it should have been, with what we created,” Inter coach Simone Inzaghi said. “The guys were really great in managing such an emotional match.

“We have to continue like this. We know that we’re just one step away from a dream that we believed in from August until today.”

The second leg is on Tuesday, in what will surely be another special European night at San Siro. The winner will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City, who drew their first leg 1-1.