We have arrived once again. After the 0-2 score accrued in the first leg, Simone Inzaghi’s team is looking for a pass to the UEFA Champions League final, thirteen years since they last hoisted the trophy. The Nerazzurri this time will play host to the Rossoneri.
“It will be one of the most important matches in the club’s history against Milan,” Inzaghi told the press.
Inter’s lineup for the 2nd leg-
Once again, Inter should take the field with the Inzaghi’s favored 3-5-2. André Onana will be between the posts with the defensive trio consisting of Francesco Acerbi in the center with Matteo Darmian and Alessandro Bastoni by his side.
On the lanes, there will be space for Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco. Hakan Calhanoglu should be confirmed as the regista just like the first leg. He should be joined by Nicolò Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the center. The only doubt in the midfield regards the presence of Marcelo Brozovic. As of now, the Croatian should start the match on the bench. In attack, Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko should be starting with Romelu Lukaku, coming off his excellent brace against Sassuolo, should be available as a ‘super sub’ off the bench.
And the crosstown rivals look for revenge-
Milan must perform a real miracle by overturning the 2-0 deficit suffered from Inter in the first leg with goals from Dzeko and Mkhitaryan.
It is true, the undertaking is difficult, but by no means impossible. In order to accomplish this, Rossoneri coach Stefano Pioli will have to rely on the best talents on his roster. And good news has arrived as the electric playmaker Rafael Leão is back in the starting lineup. He is certainly the most dangerous man on the Rossoneri squad rejoining a formation that will have a different look compared to the one seen in the first leg and in the league with Spezia on Saturday.
The defense is almost entirely confirmed, starting with Mike Maignan in goal. The only doubt could be Thiaw, who may start from the first minute in place of the more experienced Simon Kjaer. In midfield, the Bosnian Krunić could return, but we will have to see if he can reach full fitness in time for the match. Bennacer is out due to injury, but Saelemaekers and Leão should play on the wings with Brahim Diaz starting as the central attacking midfielder, while Olivier Giroud will be the lone striker.
INTER (3-5-2): Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lautaro, Dzeko.
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Tonali, Krunic; Saelemaekers, B. Diaz, Leao; Giroud.
