Inter Milan hold a healthy 2 - 0 lead, ahead of their second-leg UEFA Champions League semifinal tie with neighbours AC Milan.
The Nerazurri outplayed and outscored the Rosonerri in the first leg, with early goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Inter have kept four cleansheets in five knockout games in the UEFA Champions League this season and will fancy their chances against a Milan side who have won only one of their last five matches in all competitions. In contrast, Inter Milan have won their last seven games in all competitions, scoring 21 goals in the process.
Inter Milan vs AC Milan: Team News
In preparation for the crucial derby match on Tuesday, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi made several changes over the weekend to ensure the well-being of his key players. Lautaro Martinez, Denzel Dumfries, and Andre Onana are among the players who will be recalled to the starting lineup against Milan.
Injury concerns persist for Milan, with only Milan Skriniar confirmed to miss the match. Joaquin Correa sustained a knock on Saturday and may also be unavailable. Regardless, Martinez is set to start and the decision regarding Edin Dzeko or Romelu Lukaku as Martinez’s strike partner remains difficult to call.
Milan, on the other hand, are grappling with a potentially extensive injury list. Junior Messias, Rade Krunic, and Ismael Bennacer are all absent from the squad, with Bennacer’s season now over due to a knee injury. Star player Rafael Leao also missed the trip to La Spezia. As Milan’s chances of progressing to the final may hinge on Leao’s availability, every effort will be made to facilitate his recovery. Should the Portuguese forward fail a fitness test, Alexis Saelemaekers is likely to take his place.
Upfront, Olivier Giroud is set to return to the starting lineup, with Divock Origi taking his place among the substitutes. Captain Davide Calabria is expected to take Pierre Kalulu’s place at right-back. To introduce more speed in defense, Malick Thiaw is anticipated to replace Simon Kjaer.
Inter Milan vs AC Milan: Predicted XIs
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Dzeko
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Thiaw, Hernandez; Tonali, Pobega; Diaz, Krunic, Saelemaekers; Giroud
