AC MILAN V INTER: MATCH PREVIEW

Where were we? All lights will once again be shining on San Siro and the Derby returns, this time for the semi-final of the Coppa Italia. The Rossoneri are the home team for the game tonight at 21:00 CET. To get you in the mood for the big tie, here's our in-depth pre-match analysis:

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
As it was in the league against Udinese, the Rossoneri will have a big absence in the middle of the park: Tonali is suspended. Though Bennacer is back in the squad and available to play. Ibrahimović is out, though the rest of the squad is pretty much healthy and there shouldn't be too much rotation to the starting line-up. The Rossoneri need a test as big as this one to reignite a bit of spark in the squad after two disappointing draws in Serie A. Given that it is a two-legged tie, home-field advantage and away goals will have extra weight.

"We’ve reached a decisive stage of the season; from now until the end, we’ll learn our fate," said Stefano Pioli in his pre-match press conference. "We need a more aggressive and sustained mental attitude to win matches - I have faith in my players. It’s not possible to make predictions about tomorrow because it’s a Derby. As always, I believe that individual duels will be key in deciding the outcome."

LATEST FROM INTER
Inter, too, are suffering from a dip in form in the league. In the wake of the Derby defeat, the Nerazzurri haven't won a single match in Serie A: a draw to Napoli, defeat at home to Sassuolo and, finally, the goalless draw with Genoa; they also lost to Liverpool in the Champions League and beat Roma at San Siro in the Coppa Italia to reach this stage. Inzaghi has no suspensions to deal with and will likely go with his preferred 3-5-2 formation: Lautaro Martínez is likely to return as Džeko's strike partner, while it could be either one of Dumfries or Darmian to start at right wing-back. Correa and new signing Robin Gosens are both in the matchday squad.

"It'll be a battle where every player will try to come out on top of his opponent and also a game, in which mentality and motivation levels will make the difference," said Inter boss Simone Inzaghi. "It's a big game for the city of Milan and this should raise the sense of responsibility felt in preparing for this game as best possible. Getting that away goal is so important for us."

PRE-MATCH
Head-to-head. The last Derby in the Coppa Italia was in January 2021 and Inter came out on top, winning 2-1 to progress to the semis. AC Milan took the lead through Ibrahimović (sent off in the second half) and Inter then turned it around with a Lukaku penalty and late free-kick by Eriksen. The last Derby overall was in February of this year in Serie A and will be fresh in the memory for the Diavolo: the same scoreline but to the Rossoneri thanks to Giroud's brace. The last time AC Milan faced off against Inter as the home team was in the girone d'andata: 1-1 at San Siro with a goal from Çalhanoğlu and a De Vrij own goal.

LATEST FROM THE COPPA ITALIA
Maurizio Mariani will referee this game, assisted by Meli and Alassio as linesmen and Massimi as the fourth official. Irrati (assisted by Giallatini) is on VAR duty. The Aprilia native has taken charge of over 100 matches in Serie A and 20 in the Coppa Italia, including tonight's fixture. He hasn't officiated the Rossoneri since they beat Atalanta 2-0 away from home in May 2001 (Serie A), which saw the Rossoneri qualify for the Champions League. He has already officiated a Derby: November 2020, Ibrahimović's brace (2-1).

AC Milan v Inter is, according to the calendar, the first leg of the first semi-final of the 2021/22 edition of the Coppa Italia, with the return leg to be played midway through the month of April. Fiorentina and Juventus will then face off at the Franchi on Wednesday at 21:00 in the other semi-final.

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