Champions League derby days decisive for AC Milan and Inter Milan
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Inter Milan and AC Milan players during an Italian Serie A match in February.
PHOTO: AFP
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MILAN – Milan is gearing up for its biggest local derby in a generation as two of Europe’s grand old clubs face off
Two clashes full of colour, noise and drama await, as AC Milan and Inter Milan battle at the San Siro for the chance to take the Italian city’s European trophy tally to 21.
Milan and Inter are no longer true giants like the other semi-final’s contenders Real Madrid and Manchester City,
“The atmosphere at the stadium is incredible... The pressure is there all the time,” said AC Milan defender Pierre Kalulu.
“When you first arrive here you don’t feel all that involved but, after a while, you begin to feel that passion. You can feel that it’s a match which can change your season. You go back to being a kid scoring a goal in the playground.
“You put all that in the Champions League and I can’t imagine what these matches will be like.”
Both teams’ season hinge on the result of the all-Italian tie, with qualification for next year’s competition far from certain after disappointing league campaigns which left last term’s main Serie A contenders miles behind newly crowned champions Napoli.
Inter have been more successful in recent meetings, winning three and drawing two of the seven Derby della Madonnina the teams have played since Simone Inzaghi took over as Inter coach in 2021.
The Nerazzurri come into the first-leg clash in blistering form and with a previously misfiring attack suddenly banging in the goals left and right. Inzaghi’s side have won five on the bounce, scoring 15 times in that run.
Of those goals, 10 have been scored by the forwards, with Romelu Lukaku in particular suddenly finding some form towards the end of a largely dismal return on loan from Chelsea.
Since the start of April, he has scored five times and set up four more in all competitions, and his well-taken goal in Saturday’s 2-0 win at AS Roma was the latest sign the Belgium striker might be getting back to his best.
Strike partner Lautaro Martinez has netted six times in as many appearances. He also set up three after breaking a worrying eight-match scoring drought and even Edin Dzeko is back in the goals after not netting since January.
“We deserve to be in this semi-final. It was a dream, but now we’re here and we’ll play it big. I’m happy for the lads and their journey. We started from a very difficult group with Bayern (Munich) and Barcelona,” said Inzaghi.
“We work every day to experience days like these that we have not had here at Inter for many years.”
Milan, meanwhile, are sweating on the fitness of Rafael Leao after he picked up a thigh injury in last weekend’s win over Lazio. Without him, the Rossoneri’s chances against an in-form Inter will diminish as he is such an important part of the way the team attack.
One of Milan’s key strengths is their transitional, counter-attacking threat especially on the left flank, and key to that are both Leao and fullback Theo Hernandez.
The Portugal winger has started every single one of Milan’s 10 continental matches, contributing one goal and five assists, and was pivotal to them getting past Napoli in the last eight.
Leao played the crucial pass for both of his side’s goals in the tie and his burst downfield for Olivier Giroud’s decisive tap-in in Naples exemplified the difference he brings to the team when he is in the mood.
“We need to enjoy everything that will surround us up until the minute before kick-off, then we need to unload everything we have,” said coach Stefano Pioli.
“Inter are in great form right now. I don’t think we’re favourites but it doesn’t matter, we’re in good shape.
“We’re in a Champions League semi-final, for almost all of us it’s the first time. We need to feel the electricity, the excitement of the occasion.” AFP
