INTER MILAN and AC Milan add another chapter to their fierce rivalry TONIGHT when they face each other for a place in the Coppa Italia final.
And it is perfectly poised with neither side able to make the breakthrough in the first leg.
- Start time: 8pm GMT
- TV/Live stream: Premier Sports
- Inter Milan XI: To follow
- AC Milan XI: To follow
Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
- Kieran Davies
Milan starting XI:
Olivier Giroud leads the line for Stefano Pioli's side tonight.
16. Maignan, 2. Calabria, 20. Kalulu, 23. Tomori, 19. Hernández, 4. Bennacer, 8. Tonali, 56. Saelemaekers, 79. Kessie, 17. Leão, 9. Giroud
- Kieran Davies
Inter subs:
97. Radu, 33. D'Ambrosio,11. Dimarco, 2. Dumfries, 13. Ranocchia, 5. Gagliardini, 18. Gosens, 8. Vecino, 22. Vidal, 88. Caicedo, 9. Džeko, 7. Sánchez.
- Kieran Davies
Inter starting XI:
Lautaro Martinez returns for Inzaghi's team today.
de Vrij returns in defence while Correa retains his place at the expense of Edin Dzeko.
1. Handanovic, 37. Skriniar, 6. de Vrij, 95. Bastoni, 36. Darmian, 23. Barella, 77. Brozovic, 20. Calhanhoglu, 14. Perisic, 10. Lautaro, 19. Correa.
Credit: @Inter_en
- Kieran Davies
Milan boss has team focussed
Stefano Pioli has briefed his team of what they need to do to progress:
Our attitude against Inter has always been very consistent, even if it’s difficult to prevent them from creating dangerous situations. They take up positions that will force us to do a lot of running, but we have a strategy that we’ll try to implement as best we can.
Stefano PioliAC Milan manager
- Kieran Davies
Goal changes everything
After the 0-0 draw in the first leg, a goal by either team tonight will crush any hopes of us seeing extra-time or penalties.
Every Milan goal will count as double with the away goals rule and Stefani Pioli will be making sure his side know how much they can hurt their rivals with their attacking play tonight.
Last month the game was one of very few chances.
- Kieran Davies
Not so tricky away game
Five-time Cup winners Milan have only lost two of their last 19 home games in the Coppa Italia.
Although they are classed as the away team tonight at the San Siro.
Stefano Pioli’s side should go into this game with confidence after cruising past Genoa and Lazio in the previous rounds.
- Kieran Davies
Inzaghi wary of away goals rule
The Inter manager has underlined how important in this final season, before the rule is phased out, they have to be aware of the potential impact of away goals tonight.
We know how important away goals could be, so we’ll have to be fully focused at every point in the game, knowing that we’re up against a top side. We’ll need to keep focused for the full 95 minutes and for possible extra time as well.
Simone InzaghiInter Milan coach
- Kieran Davies
France turning back the years
With Karim Benzema tearing it for Real Madrid this season, fellow compatriot and the Coppa Italia’s joint-top scorer with three goals, Olivier Giroud should lead the line to show age is just a number to Gaelic flair.
Ante Rebic and Junior Messias are pushing for places in the French forward’s supporting cast.
Sandro Tonali could feature in midfield after missing the first-leg last month through suspension.
- Kieran Davies
Welcome to Inter Milan vs AC Milan
Stefano Pioli takes his table-topping Milan team to local rivals Inter, only having to travel from one dressing room to the other in this second-leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final.
The tie is finely balanced after the pair drew 0-0 in the first leg last month with the winners facing either Fiorentina or Juventus in the final.
After scoring as a second-half substitute on Friday, Lautaro Martinez could be the only change Simone Inzaghi makes for the Milan derby this evening with Argentinian expected to replace compatriot Joaquin Correa up front, partnering veteran striker Edin Dzeko.
Allesandro Bastoni should be fit to feature despite being withdrawn early against Spezia.
Former first team regular, Stefan de Vrij, is expected to play at the cost of Danilo D’Ambrosio.
Stefano Pioli meanwhile has selection issues to resolve as in addition to the experienced Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Simon Kjaer and Alessio Romagnoli all still sidelined, Davide Calabria pulled out pre-kick off on Friday.
With replacement full-back Allesandro Florenzi out of action, Pierre Kalulu may have to switch across from centre-back.
If he does, it will break up his impressive partnership with Fikayo Tomori, meaning Matteo Gabbia is likely to start.
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