AC Milan have it all to do if they are to reach the Champions League final, as they look to overcome a two-goal deficit tonight in the second leg of their semi-final tie against Inter. The Italian rivals meet once again at the San Siro, a week on from Inter taking control as Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan struck early in a 2-0 win.
Inter are now on a seven-match winning run in all competitions, finding form at just the right time as they look to reach the final of this competition for the first time since they lifted the trophy in 2010. Lautaro Martinez returns to the side after being rested over the weekend, with Edin Dzeko getting the nod over Romelu Lukaku to partner him.
Milan were beaten last time out by Spezia to continue their stumbling run of form, but they will hope Rafael Leao‘s return to the starting lineup helps inspire a memorable comeback over their big rivals tonight. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below!
Live updates
Milan team news
Starting XI: Maignan, Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernandez, Krunic, Tonali, Messias, Diaz, Leao, Giroud
Subs: Mirante, Nava, Ballo, Rebic, Kalulu, Kjaer, Florenzi, Origi, Pobega, Gabbia, Saelemaekers, De Ketelaere
Inter team news
Starting XI: Onana, Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni, Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco, Martinez, Dzeko
Subs: Handanovic, Cordaz, Gagliardini, De Vrij, Gosens, Correa, Bellanova, Asllani, D’Ambrosio, Stankovic, Brozovic, Lukaku
Inzaghi insists job not done
Simone Inzaghi is refusing to let his side allow complacency to creep in ahead of tonight’s match, with the Inter boss fully aware that the job is only half-done.
“We’ll need a cool head and a warm heart,” he said in his pre-match press conference
“We need to stick together, I’m being repetitive, but I don’t see other way to do it. It’s a match where we all know how important it is, and we’ll all go for it together.
“Clearly we know we have a well-deserved advantage. But we also know that we still have 90 minutes plus stoppage time to go, and we have to get through it together.”
Man City backed to lift trophy
Safe to say AC Milan aren’t particularly well-fancied when it comes to winning this competition…
They’re the huge outsiders as a result of that two-goal deficit that must overcome, with Manchester City favourites to get past Real Madrid and go all the way in the Champions League for the first time.
To win the Champions League:
Manchester City – 4/6
Inter Milan – 3/1
Real Madrid – 4/1
AC Milan – 40/1
Inter on the charge
Inter very much the form team coming into this clash.
Seven wins on the bounce for them across all competitions, a run that has seen them reach the Coppa Italia final, take control of this semi-final tie and move up to third in Serie A, three points behind Juventus in second.
Could prove to be a very special season!
The ‘visitors’ tonight…
Piolo: Nobody thinks Milan can do it
Given their deficit, AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli has admitted the build-up has not been easy for his side, as they attempt to pull off one of the all-time great Champions League comebacks.
“It’s not easy to prepare for tomorrow,” he continued. “But we have an important goal: to win the match and to qualify for the final, which nobody would ever predict.
“Nobody still thinks that Milan can reach the final. I know we can play a great match.”
Milan with it all to do
Two goals down inside 11 minutes, not really the start AC Milan were looking for in the first leg.
They avoided any furhter damage, but they’ll have to score at least twice tonight if they’re to reach the Champions League final.
Need to come out of the blocks a bit sharper this time…
Standard Sport prediction
With Inter’s position in the tie secure, they are very capable of grabbing at least another goal to avoid Milan pulling off what would be an historic Champions League comeback.
The Rossoneri’s dodgy form and defensive issues should put such a feat beyond them.
Inter to win 2-1 (4-1 on aggregate)
