Home » AC Milan vs Inter Milan – Champions League semifinal 1st leg preview

AC Milan vs Inter Milan – Champions League semifinal 1st leg preview

AC Milan vs Inter Milan – Champions League semifinal first leg preview as we analyze one of the most iconic derby in the history of the tournament, which only happen for the second time at this stage of the top-four.

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Preview

It’s been 20 years, to be exact, since the last UCL semifinal is the Derby della Madonnina.

The two giants of Milan locked horns two times in the past two decades in their peak eras of the elite European competition, with Rossoneri advanced both occasions.

Carlo Ancelotti beat his rivals at the quarterfinal of season 2004/05 by 5-0 on aggregate, in which that iconic photo was taken.

But earlier in 2002/03 season, the first Milan derby in UCL history of semifinals were decided by away-goal rule, as the black/red side of Milan qualified for the final.

This year, this season, it all came down to this game.

AC beat Serie A Champions Napoli to reach this stage, while Inter crashed Benfica. The city rivals are also competing in the top-four race of national league.

But for Stefano Pioli’s side, they have been more desperate to go all the way to the final since their hope for a higher place than Inter when the season ends.

Milan last won the competition was 2007, while Inter did it by grabbing the holy treble in 2010.

Head-to-head

Except from the previous two meetings of the two in UCL, they have clashed in total of five times since March 2022.

Inter is currently the better side when it comes to face their city rivals, having beaten Milan three times, while get defeated twice and the two share one draw.

It’s worth to note that Milan have yet to beat Inter in the calendar of 2023 in all competitions, having lost twice at Serie A and Supercoppa Italia. But at San Siro, Milan cruised past Inter in a dramatic game that ended with five goals.

• Serie A 2022/23 : Inter 1-0 Milan (5-2-2023)
• Serie A 2022/23: AC Milan 3-2 Inter (3-9-2022)
• Supercoppa Italia: AC Milan 0-3 Inter (18-1-2023)
• Coppa Italia: Inter 3-0 Milan (19-4-2022)
• Coppa Italia: Milan 0-0 Inter (1-3-2022)

Inter are undefeated in 9 of their last 10 away matches against AC Milan in all competitions.

Recent forms

• Milan: DDWDDW
• Inter: DWWWWW

Two sides had identical results ahead of the UCL fixtures, beating their opponents by two goals to nil on the run to the semifinal.

Meanwhile, Simone Inzaghi’s side enjoys a better record compared to their rival, won 5 in the last six games, compared to Milan’s humble two wins.

Team news

• All eyes are on the recent concern, which is for Rafael Leao, who came off after 11 minutes in Milan’s 2-0 win over Lazio.
• Should he be unable to play, we might see the man who replaced him, Alexis Saelemaekers, start in Leao’s place.

• Milan Skriniar is still out for Inter, having been out since mid April.
• Dalbert has been out injured all season and won’t be playing anytime soon.
• Robin Gosens is set to miss the first leg against AC Milan, but could be back to feature in the second leg.

Prediction

Knowing each other too well, both teams would not risk being blown away before the second leg, a possible draw is immiment.

AC 1-1 Inter or 0-0 will be the best.