INTER v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW

It's the fourth derby of the season, and it's a particularly decisive one too. A place in the Coppa Italia final is at stake and, with it, a big opportunity to win the trophy. After the 0-0 draw in the first leg with the Rossoneri as the home side, Inter v AC Milan is now just hours away. It’s a crucial encounter where the smallest details could make the difference. Here's our Match Preview, providing the full lowdown on tonight's 21:00 CEST kick-off at San Siro.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
Due to the conditions of Calabria and Romagnoli, there are question marks over who will start in defence. After missing AC Milan v Genoa, Davide returned to group training yesterday, while Alessio is still struggling with the problem that has kept him out since 4 April and hasn’t featured since the semi-final first leg. Matteo Gabbia is fit again after coming off against the Grifone with fatigue. By the Coach's own admission, one of Kessie or Krunić will start in the attacking midfield role and not Díaz. Alessandro Florenzi, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Simon Kjær won’t be available. One Rossonero is a booking away from suspension: Alexis Saelemaekers. 

Coach Pioli had the following to say on the eve of the game: "We'l have to interpret the game well, and the details will be decisive. During the match, there will be moments where we need to put our foot on the pedal and others where we need to slow down. Inter can be dangerous when given space, and we need to manage the ball as best we can. We need to reach high standards when it comes to our application, intensity and focus."

LATEST FROM INTER
Simone Inzaghi's Nerazzurri have won all three of their matches since the international break, and the Inter coach isn’t expected to make many changes to his starting line-up. There's the possibility that de Vrij could replace D'Ambrosio in the team's three-man backline, while Martínez is in contention to start in place of fellow Argentine Correa. Three Nerazzurri players are walking the suspension tightrope: Brozović, Martínez and Vecino.

"The team are fired up and motivated," said Inzaghi. "We know how important the match is and what it represents for us. We're heading into the game on the back of three consecutive wins and are ready. We want to win tomorrow because our objective is to be involved in the Coppa Italia final."

PRE-MATCH
The first leg finished 0-0, meaning it all comes down to tonight. One thing to bear in mind is that away goals count. As a result, the Rossoneri will qualify if they win or if the match ends in a score draw. Tonight's game will be the 27th Coppa Italia meeting between the two sides, who will face each other four times in a single season for the 14th time in history.

LATEST FROM THE COPPA ITALIA
Maurizio Mariani will referee the semi-final second leg. Costanzo and Passeri will be the linesmen, while Abisso will perform the role of fourth official. Mazzoleni will be joined by Tolfo in overseeing VAR. Mariani also took charge of the first leg on 1 March. He’s been the man in the middle for a total of 14 matches involving AC Milan, with the Rossoneri winning eight (including the derby on 17 October 2020), drawing three and losing three.

On the other side of the draw, Juventus are set to take on Fiorentina at the Allianz Stadium. The first leg finished 1-0 to the Bianconeri in Florence following Venuti's late own goal. The final of the competition is scheduled for 21:00 CEST on Wednesday 11 May. As per tradition, it'll take place at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

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