Inter Milan meet AC Milan at San Siro in the second leg of their 2022-23 Champions League semi-final.
Holding a 2-0 aggregate lead following goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the first leg, Inter know that a win or draw would see them reach the Final for the first time since 2009-10 season – although a 1-0 defeat would also be enough.
AC Milan meanwhile must simply win and score at least three goals at minimum in order to reach a first Champions League final since 2006-07 season, although a 2-0 win would take the tie to extra-time and possibly penalties.
Team News
Inter Milan have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 4-2 Serie A victory against Sassuolo, with Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez amongst players looking for a recall to the starting line-up.
Romelu Lukaku however will look to retain his starting position after he scored twice against Sassuolo, meaning that one of Dzeko or Martinez could remain on the substitutes bench.
Milan Skriniar (back) remains absent.
AC Milan could again rotate their squad after suffering a surprise 2-0 defeat at Spezia in Serie A last weekend, during which Olivier Giroud was utilised as a substitute but is set to return up front here.
Rafael Leao meanwhile could return after he missed the first leg with a muscle injury.
When is Kick-Off?
Inter Milan face AC Milan at San Siro on Tuesday 16 May at 9pm CET (8pm UK Time), with BT Sport 1 broadcasting the match live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Inter Milan have won just one of five previous Champions League meetings against Inter Milan (W1, D2, L2).
- AC Milan are unbeaten in two previous Champions League away fixtures against Inter Milan (W1, D1).
- Inter Milan have scored just one goal when playing at home against AC Milan in the Champions League, despite both clubs sharing the same stadium.
- Romelu Lukaku has scored in two of Inter Milan’s last three Champions League home games, with both goals scored in the final five minutes against Viktoria Plzen and Porto respectively.
- Giroud has scored in two of AC Milan’s last three Champions League away matches, only failing to find the net in a goalless second leg of their Round of 16 tie against Tottenham.
Prediction
With the tie now in their own hands after a clinical first leg victory, Inter know that they simply have to continue dominating the attack and avoid conceding at least twice to advance without the risk of extra-time.
Their confident Serie A win against Sassuolo despite various players having been rested is another positive coming into this leg, because Martinez and Dzeko do have the quality and fresh legs to cause serious issues whilst Lukaku looks to have hit a bit of form so I do expect goals from Inter here.
AC Milan meanwhile absolutely must score first because if Inter get ahead early doors, this tie is as good as dead but after losing at Spezia, I can’t help but feel that they will have to throw the kitchen sink at Inter from the very first whistle in order to stand any chance at a comeback.
Simply put, I just don’t see AC Milan completing a comeback but a goal would at least lift some spirits, although Inter should comfortably advance if they avoid more defensive sloppiness which we saw against Sassuolo at times.
Prediction: Inter Milan 2-1 AC Milan
Result: Inter Milan 1-0 AC Milan (Inter Milan win 3-0 on aggregate!!)
Leave a Reply