Inter Milan vs AC Milan: Match Preview

When the first leg of this tie was played in early March, Inter were reeling from their defeat to Milan in Serie A in February. Dropped points were piling up and goal were nowhere to be found. A 0-0 draw felt like a victory because it meant Inter would still have a shot at making the Coppa Italia final for the first time since 2011. Since then, Inter have rejuvenated their season and have clawed their way back into the Serie A title race. In perhaps a match that will decide the fates of both teams in both competitions, Inter will host the second leg for one of the most momentous derbies in recent history.

Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images

Inter dispatched Spezia 3-1 on Friday with goals from Marcelo Brozovic, Lautaro Martinez, and Alexis Sanchez. Joaquin Correa and Edin Dzeko have become what looks like the default pairing up top, as the team has looked more dangerous despite the two not scoring in Liguria. Everyone seems to be working well together, which has the team looking like it did in their best run of form earlier in the season. This all bodes well for the Nerazzurri going into this massive tie.

Alessandro Bastoni was subbed off as a precaution on Friday after dealing with some calf tightness. The young Italian seems to have recovered and should be available from the start on Tuesday. Elsewhere on the pitch, the squad is fit physically and mentally in this final stretch of the season.

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Milan recovered from two consecutive draws to defeat Genoa just hours after Inter climbed temporarily to the summit of Serie A. Friday evening’s 2-0 win was the first time Milan have scored more than one goal in a match since their 2-2 draw with Salernitana in February. Their attack has been arguably more inconsistent than Inter’s in 2022, partly because of the lack of fitness from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who may finally have hit the end of his career. However, with the away goals rule still in play, they only need one goal to really cause Inter problems on aggregate.

Along with Ibrahimovic, Alessio Romagnoli, Davide Calabria, Alessandro Florenzi, and Samu Castillejo are all dealing with injuries. This long list of injuries has been an issue for Milan for a while now, but they still have a decent starting team that has beaten Inter once on the season.

Previous Results

0-0 (A) - 1/3/2022 (First Leg)

1-2 (H) - 5/2/2022

1-1 (A) - 7/11/2021

Predicted Starting XIs

Prediction: Inter 1-0 Milan (AET)

Hope everyone is ready for the most nail-biting result possible. This match will probably look a lot like Inter’s Supercoppa Italiana final against Juve earlier this season. It will be played like a final, with both teams having the objective of not conceding, at least early. Be prepared for some late drama like Alexis Sanchez provided against Juve in this one. I have a feeling the goal will come from a set piece. Brace yourselves.

Forza Inter!