Coppa Italia probable: Milan to bring back Leao, but Inter test new strike partnership

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·1 April 2025

Coppa Italia probable: Milan to bring back Leao, but Inter test new strike partnership

Milan should bring Rafael Leao back into the starting XI, but not Santiago Gimenez, while Inter test an all-new strike partnership in the Coppa Italia semi-final.

It kicks off at San Siro on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

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The second and decisive leg with Inter as the ‘home’ team will be on April 23.

Most of the pressure is on the Rossoneri, who sit all the way down in ninth place in Serie A following the 2-1 defeat to Napoli on Sunday.

Emerson Royal is still out of action, but Sergio Conceicao is expected to bring Rafael Leao back after he was initially benched at the Stadio Maradona.

However, Gimenez is again expected to be left out in favour of Tammy Abraham, with Malick Thiaw returning in defence after a stomach bug at the weekend.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale is challenged by Strahinja Pavlovic and Theo Hernandez during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 02, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

If squad rotation is kept to a bare minimum for Milan, then Inter still have to make some changes, as Lautaro Martinez, Mehdi Taremi and Denzel Dumfries are on the treatment table.

Simone Inzaghi tested a new strike partnership in training of Tucu Correa with Marcus Thuram.

A midfield switch is inevitable, as Kristjan Asllani is suspended, while Nicolò Barella has no need to rest because he will sit out a ban this weekend in Serie A.

There are concerns over Stefan de Vrij’s knee inflammation, while Carlos Augusto could step in for Federico Dimarco.

Inter are still hoping to do the Treble this season, competing for the Scudetto, Champions League and Coppa Italia, but lost the Supercoppa Italiana Final 3-2 to Milan in January.