In a highly anticipated showdown, AC Milan faces off against Inter Milan in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals at the iconic San Siro Stadium on Wednesday night. The clash, which kicks off at 10:00 PM Mecca time (9:00 PM Cairo time), promises to be a thrilling encounter between the two fierce city rivals, known as the "Derby della Madonnina." Milan coach Sergio Conceicao, reflecting on his team's recent struggles, admits he is "not the happiest in the world" following a disappointing 2-1 loss to Napoli in Serie A last weekend, which has left the Rossoneri languishing in ninth place in the league standings.
Despite their current league position, Milan remains unbeaten against Inter in three meetings this season, having won both their Serie A match and the Supercoppa Italiana final, while their last encounter ended in a 1-1 draw. "They’ve been important games for us. The situations are different, with different players on the pitch. We’ll see if we can have a good game tomorrow, let’s see what Inter can do," Conceicao said during a pre-match press conference on Tuesday. The stakes are high for Milan, as they view the Coppa Italia as their "quickest way into Europe," given their current league struggles.
Conceicao provided a positive update regarding Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was hospitalized with appendicitis over the weekend. "The group is fine, Loftus-Cheek will return to Milan today. Everyone else is available," he confirmed. With the team in relatively good shape, Conceicao has been focusing on tactical preparations for the crucial match against a strong Inter side, led by a coach who has been at the helm for an extended period.
The Rossoneri's recent form has raised eyebrows, particularly the performance of Santiago Gimenez, who has not scored in his last five games. "He scored a lot in training today. There are expectations about him, but arriving in Italy and making an immediate impact takes a bit of adapting, that’s completely normal," Conceicao explained. The coach emphasized the importance of giving Gimenez space to find his rhythm, as he aims to regain the form that saw him score multiple goals earlier in the season.
Another player under scrutiny is Joao Felix, who has had a mixed start since joining Milan in January. When asked about Felix's recent form, Conceicao echoed his sentiments for Gimenez, urging patience as both players adjust to the demands of Serie A. "I don’t know about the talk with Walker, but it’s a normal thing between players," he remarked, referring to a conversation Felix had during a recent match.
As Milan prepares for the derby, Conceicao's thoughts turned to Rafael Leao, who was benched in the first half against Napoli. "What I said in Riyadh about him being among the strongest in the world, I believe in. But there needs to be some evolution," Conceicao stated. He acknowledged the pressure surrounding Leao and the need for him to find consistency to finish the season strong, aiming for a tally of 20 goals and 15 assists.
The upcoming match is not just another game for Milan; it represents a chance to redeem themselves following their recent league loss. Inter, who leads the Serie A table by a significant 20-point margin, will enter the match with momentum, having secured five consecutive victories across all competitions. This includes a recent win against Napoli that solidified their position at the top of the league.
Historically, the rivalry between these two clubs has been intense, with Inter holding a slight edge in their all-time meetings, boasting 49 wins to Milan's 45, alongside 27 draws. The last time they faced off in a cup final, Inter fell short after leading 2-0, ultimately losing 3-2 to their rivals in the Supercoppa Italiana held in Riyadh earlier this year. This adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming match, as Inter seeks revenge while Milan aims to assert their dominance in their fourth meeting of the season.
Looking ahead, the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals is scheduled for April 23, 2025, with the final set to take place on May 14 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. Fans will be eagerly anticipating not just the outcome of this match, but also the implications it could have for both teams as they navigate their respective seasons.
As for the expected lineups, Milan is likely to field a team including Maignan, Walker, Pavlović, Gabia, Hernandez, Fofana, Musah, Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao, and Abraham. Meanwhile, Inter is expected to start with Sommer, Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni, Zalevsky, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco, Thuram, and Arnautovic.
With both teams having much to prove, fans can expect a fierce battle on the pitch. The Coppa Italia semi-final is not just a trophy at stake but also pride, as the two Milanese clubs vie for supremacy in their storied rivalry.
