Another chapter will be added to the storied history of the Milan derby this evening as AC Milan host Inter Milan at the San Siro for the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final.
It will be the 227th meeting between the two clubs and the fourth this season. Milan have taken the spoils in two of the three matches so far, winning 2-1 in Serie A last September and taking the Supercoppa Italiano final 3-2 in January.
The third match, a February league tie, ended in a 1-1 draw after Inter’s Stefan de Vrij scored a 93rd-minute equaliser to rescue a point for the visitors.
Despite coming out on top in most derbies, AC Milan have endured a difficult season, the 19-time champions of Italy languishing in ninth place in Serie A. A full 20 points behind Inter and eight adrift of fifth-placed Juventus, there are serious doubts as to whether Milan will be able to qualify for European competition next season.
That makes this Coppa Italia campaign all the more important, though, as the tournament’s winner automatically qualifies for the UEFA Europa League. The fact that Milan have not won the tournament since 2003 adds yet more motivation to reach the final.
Brits Kyle Walker and Tammy Abraham are both likely to start for Milan, while former Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori may also be involved.
