Coppa Italia Preview: Inter vs Milan – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction | OneFootball

A place in the Coppa Italia final is up for grabs as Inter and Milan go head-to-head in the return leg of their mouth-watering semi-final tie. There’s everything to play off at Stadio San Siro tonight following a 1-1 draw in the first leg a fortnight ago.

Tammy Abraham fired Milan in front at the start of the second half, only for Hakan Calhanoglu’s mid-range thunderbolt to evenly poise this tie ahead of the return fixture. Inter will be out to book a third grand-final appearance in four years and move closer to lifting their third Coppa Italia title under Simone Inzaghi.

Achieving that feat would steer the Nerazzurri closer to their ultimate goal this season. Indeed, the 49-year-old Inzaghi is eager to follow in Jose Mourinho’s footsteps and take home a coveted treble. Becoming the first manager to defend the Scudetto in five years is another integral part of their quest.

However, Inter’s Serie A title defense took a hit as Bologna stunned them 1-0 at Renato Dall’Ara last weekend. On the other hand, Milan slumped to an identical scoreline against Atalanta at home, probably waving goodbye to their chances of securing a European qualification spot. Therefore, this is a ‘make or break’ contest for the Rossoneri.

Six points shy of Serie A’s top six, Sergio Conceicao’s men feel this is their best chance of avoiding the ignominy of missing out on continental football. Yet, it’d require Milan to rewrite the history books and win only their sixth Coppa Italia trophy and first since 2003 under legendary Carlo Ancelotti.

Match Preview

Inter

Riccardo Orsolini’s late strike made the feel-good factor disappear from San Siro as Inter finished the last Serie A round level on points with closest title rivals Napoli. Engaged in battles on multiple fronts, Inzaghi’s charges are facing a pivotal week in what could be a historic season for the club.

With a must-win league clash against Roma and a Champions League semi-final tie against Barcelona waiting in the wings, Inter must improve on their indifferent recent form. Indeed, the reigning Scudetto holders have only won twice across their last six outings in all competitions (D3, L1).

Inter’s troubled sequence casts doubt on their hopes to snap a dismal four-game winless streak in the Derby della Madonnina (D2, L2). That’s their longest run without a win in this iconic fixture since a ten-game winless stretch between November 2002 and April 2005, highlighting the size of the task ahead.

Milan

Speaking of rough patches, Atalanta’s narrow win at San Siro last Sunday marked Milan’s fifth defeat in ten games across all competitions (W3, D2). However, Conceicao has fared well in cup competitions since taking over from Paulo Fonseca in January, including his remarkable Supercoppa Italiana triumph at the start of his tenure.

Playing at San Siro hasn’t been kind to Milan lately, with just one win from their last six outings at the iconic ground (D3, L2). Frustration is growing among the fans, and history doesn’t offer much comfort. Indeed, the designated ‘away’ team has fallen at the semi-final stage of this competition twice in the past four seasons, each time against Inter.

Conceicao must find a cure for Milan’s substantial defensive issues to increase his side’s chances of settling the account with their bitter rivals, with the Rossoneri keeping just one clean sheet across their last 12 competitive matches. Furthermore, they’ve not registered a shutout at San Siro since mid-February.

Team News

Despite losing Alessandro Bastoni and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to suspension in Serie A, both players will be eligible to play tonight. However, Inter will be without Denzel Dumfries and Piotr Zielinski. Marcus Thuram lacks match fitness and will likely stay on the bench, with Marko Arnautovic likely to return to the starting XI.

Meanwhile, Milan cannot call upon Emerson Royal and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Manchester City loanee Kyle Walker has just returned to training, meaning Alejandro Jimenez should retain his place on the right wing. Santiago Gimenez has regained full fitness but should remain on the bench, with Tammy Abraham the leading candidate to start in attack.

Inter vs Milan Potential Starting Line-ups

Inter (3-5-2): J. Martinez; Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni; Darmian, Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Augusto; Arnautovic, L. Martinez.

Milan (3-4-3): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Jimenez, Fofana, Reijnders, Hernandez; Pulisic, Abraham, Leao.

Inter vs Milan Prediction

Inter’s pursuit of a tenth Coppa Italia crown is part of a more complex equation that should ultimately make Inzaghi only the second treble winner in club history. However, for Milan, this is the moment of truth. A season without European football would significantly derail the club’s lofty ambitions in the transfer market.

Therefore, the Rossoneri may defy the odds and reach the title-deciding fixture for the first time since 2018.