The semifinal of this year’s UEFA Champions League sees two city rivals from Italy lock horns, with AC Milan and Inter facing each other for just the fifth time in the European competition’s history.
The winner of this tie will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in the final in Istanbul, with the Serie A side likely to be huge underdogs.
Neither of Milan’s clubs have made it big in the Italian league this season, with Napoli, knocked out of the Champions League by the Rossoneri in the previous round, winning the Scudetto by a wide margin.
AC Milan vs Inter Team News
AC Milan are still concerned about the fitness of Rafael Leao ahead of the first leg, with the Portuguese winger missing training on Tuesday before the Wednesday evening kickoff as he battles a groin injury.
For Inter, it’s all eyes on Romelu Lukaku and whether his recent improved form will earn a start from Nerazzurri boss Simone Inzaghi at the San Siro.
AC Milan starting 11
(4-5-1): Maignan (GK) — Calabria, Tomori, Kjaer, Hernandez — Saelemaekers, Tonali, Krunic, Bennacer, Brahim Diaz — Giroud
Alexis Saelemaekers and Ante Rebic are both options to start on the left flank if Leao is sidelined with his groin issue. Former Manchester City and Real Madrid ace Brahim Diaz looks likely to start ahead of Junior Messias on the right, or perhaps Milan boss Stefan Pioli could switch Diaz to the left.
The only other Milan injury concern is over central midfielder Tommaso Pobega who is likely to miss out.
Inter Milan starting 11
(3-5-2): Onana (GK) — Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni — Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco — Martinez, Lukaku
Lukaku is competing with Edin Dzeko for a spot up front for Inter, who will be without key defenders Milan Skriniar and Robin Gosens due to injury. Danilo D’Ambrosio may return to fitness to take a spot in the matchday squad.
Lautaro Martinez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are the sure-fire starters in attacking positions for Inter, who look set to retain their wing-back system against Milan.