We are quickly approaching the first leg of the epic UEFA Champions League semi-finals as Stefano Pioli’s Milan is hosting Simone Inzaghi’s Inter. The kick-off for “DerbIstanbul,” as coined by Corriere dello Sport, will occur on Wednesday night at San Siro.
Inter’s probable lineup-
As usual, Simone Inzaghi will field his classic 3-5-2 formation. André Onana will stand between the posts with a defensive trio of Matteo Darmian, Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Bastoni.
Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco should start on the wings. Nicolò Barella is sure to start in the midfield which should be completed by Marcelo Brozovic and Henrix Mkhitaryan. While he would love to start against his former side, Hakan Calhanoglu will most likely begin the first leg on the bench. In the attack, Simone Inzaghi will probably choose Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko. Lukaku may be a ‘super sub’ in the second half.
The Rossoneri wait on their side of San Siro-
After beating Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio 2-0 in their last meeting at San Siro, Stefano Pioli’s AC Milan now has a calendar date to once again face their city rivals. This edition of the Euroderby will punch a ticket for one of the two Milanese teams to the prestigious final in Istanbul.
Pioli’s probable lineup-
Pioli will probably use his usual 4-2-3-1 formation. In goal will be the immovable Mike Maignan. The central defense should be composed of Simon Kjaer and Fikayo Tomori, with Davide Calabria and Theo Hernandez as the wing backs.
In the midfield, Pioli will field Rade Krunic and Sandro Tonali. The lone striker will be Olivier Giroud, who will be supported by Brahim Diaz and Ismael Bennacer. Rafael Leao looms as a significant doubt due to the injury he suffered over the weekend. At this moment, Alexis Saelemaekers is ready to start in his stead.
INTER (3-5-2): Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez.
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan, Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Krunic, Tonali; Brahim, Bennacer, Saelemaekers; Giroud.
