Inter Milan vs AC Milan: Supercoppa Match Preview

Inter’s early season hopes of lifting the Scudetto have faded considerably over the past few months, but the Nerazzurri still have a shot at three trophies this year. The easiest and most probable is the Supercoppa, which will be decided this Wednesday at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh. Inter, as Coppa Italia winners, will face off against our old friends and league champions AC Milan for the trophy.

Photo by Daniele Mascolo/Xinhua via Getty Images

The two Milanese clubs are as close as ever in the standings, with only one point separating them. It hasn’t quite been the perfect season for either side, however, and it’s unlikely the Serie A title will stay in Milano for a third year running. Milan is second on 38 points but is winless in their last three in all competitions. The year started off well with a victory at Salernitana but since then Stefano Pioli’s side has only managed draws against Roma and Lecce and a Coppa Italia defeat at home to Torino. A general dreariness has enveloped the squad, which can’t seem to get into top gear for any prolonged stretch of time.

Rafael Leao (9g, 7a) remains the star man but hasn’t found the every-week consistency Milan hoped for at the beginning of the season, while Olivier Giroud (9g, 6a) is aging like fine wine at 36. That duo is just about the full extent of Milan’s attacking weaponry with big-money summer signing Charles de Ketelaere (0g, 1a) looking like a long-term project at this point.

Photo by Mattia Ozbot - Inter/Inter via Getty Images

Inter hoisted last season’s Supercoppa thanks to a memorable 121st-minute winner from Alexis Sanchez. Despite the Nerazzurri’s Serie A struggles this year, a trophy picked up at Milan’s expense wouldn’t be too shabby of an accomplishment. It could even give Simone Inzaghi’s men the confidence they need to find some consistency in domestic play as the second half of the season picks up steam.

Previous Results

Inter has a 79W-67D-71L all-time record against the Rossoneri, but just one win in the last five derbies, none of which came in Serie A.

• 3-2 (A), 7/9/22
• 3-0 (H), 19/4/22 (Coppa Italia)
• 0-0 (A), 1/3/22 (Coppa Italia)
• 1-2 (H), 5/2/22
• 1-1 (A), 7/11/21

Predicted Starting XIs

Prediction: Inter Milan 1-0 AC Milan

With both teams not quite at top form or with a full squad (here’s your weekly reminder that Lukaku is still out), Wednesday’s clash won’t be a blockbuster showdown. A strike from the in-form Lautaro will be enough to give Inter its first trophy of 2023.

Forza Inter!