One of the fiercest rivalries in European soccer is set to take center stage once again as Inter Milan and AC Milan clash in the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
The Milan Derby, known as the Derby della Madonnina, is always a high-stakes affair, but this encounter carries even more weight, with Inter Milan seeking revenge after failing to beat their city rivals this season.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two sides in the 2024 campaign. AC Milan has had the upper hand so far, winning two of the three previous encounters while the last match ended in a draw.
Despite this, Inter has been the dominant force in Italian football this season and will see this cup tie as the perfect opportunity to set the record straight.
Inter Milan’s Revenge Mission
Inter Milan has been in sensational form under Simone Inzaghi, leading Serie A comfortably and sitting 20 points ahead of AC Milan, who are currently ninth in the standings.
They’ve also made significant strides in the UEFA Champions League by reaching the quarter-finals, something their rivals failed to do.
However, the sting of losing the Supercoppa Italiana to AC Milan still lingers. That match saw AC Milan come from behind to win 3-2, securing the first domestic trophy of the season.
For Inter, that defeat combined with two failed attempts to beat Milan in the league, has made this Coppa Italia showdown a must-win.
Squad Depth Will Be Tested
Inter will be without star striker Lautaro Martínez and key defender Denzel Dumfries, two significant losses that could impact their approach to the game. However, they still have plenty of firepower with Marcus Thuram, Federico Dimarco, and Matteo Darmian expected to step up in their absence.
Inter comes into this game off a solid victory against Udinese, extending their unbeaten streak to eight matches across all competitions. A win here would not only put them in the Coppa Italia final but also solidify their bid for another historic treble.
