Inter host AC Milan in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final clash, and the game has huge meaning to both teams beyond it being a derby.
Milan and Inter drew the first leg 1-1 at San Siro, meaning it is all to play for this evening. Both goals came in the second half three weeks ago: Tammy Abraham got the opener with a lovely turn and finish, then Hakan Calhanoglu equalised with a long-range effort.
With the tie so finely poised, there is some added tension going into the fifth and final derby of the season. The Nerazzurri want to keep their hopes of a treble alive, while the Rossoneri must win the Coppa to have any hope of a Europa League spot.
The five key battles
One of the most intriguing tactical aspects of tonight’s game is the expectation that Sergio Conceicao will use a three-man defence once again, which is the same base that Inter start from albeit with five across the middle and two strikers.
Speaking of strikers, Tammy Abraham has scored in two of the last three games against Inter in all competitions, including the first leg of the semi-final. The last player to have scored in two consecutive matches in the Coppa Italia against the Nerazzurri was Andriy Shevchenko in the 1999-00 season.
The Englishman is playing to convince Milan that he should stay at the club permanently, and he will hope to get the better of Stefan De Vrij.The 33-year-old Dutchman has played more career games against the Rossoneri than any other team, winning 13 of 26 contests and scoring three times, including in the 1-1 league draw earlier this calendar year which was a 94th-minute equaliser.
At the other end, Lautaro Martinez has become a familiar foe for Milan in recent years. The Argentine striker has scored eight goals in the Coppa Italia, more than any other Inter player in the last 20 seasons in the competition. The Inter captain has scored nine goals in 19 appearances against the Diavolo in all competitions, too.
The feeling is that Milan will sit in a back five out of possession with the centre-backs narrow to reduce the space for Lautaro and Correa to operate in. Thus, Fikayo Tomori will have the job of assisting Matteo Gabbia as the right-sided central defender, and he has had several duels with ‘El Toro’ in the past few seasons.
Moving to the wing, there could be a fascinating battle between Federico Dimarco and Alex Jimenez. The former has become one of the best wing-backs in world football and knows the role like few others, while he has racked up four goal contributions in 15 games against Milan (two goals, two assists) and has 12 goal contributions this season across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Jimenez is still adjusting to the position of wing-back given the recent change in system. On paper it seems to be a better fit for the Spaniard, who can use his speed and work rate to cover the flank but also cause danger at the other end. However, he will have to be extra cautious tonight against one of the best in the role.
Davide Frattesi has made only 14 starts under Simone Inzaghi this season, yet he has made a telling contribution with six goals and one assist to his name. He is another player who has faced Milan more than any other side, winning four of 10 meetings and with two goals to his name. The Italian will play that familiar midfield raider role, hoping to cause surprise with his runs into the box.
On the other side, Tijjani Reijnders has perhaps been the best midfielder in Italy this season alongside Nicolo Barella (who is not expected to start). The Dutchman scored the opener in the most recent league meeting and has 14 goals for the season. In the double pivot, his role in build-up and in transition becomes even more vital.
If there is anyone that can break the game open for Milan in a tough moment, it is Rafael Leao. Conceicao is hoping that his compatriot can provide a performance befitting of a leader, like he did when he came off the bench in the Supercoppa final. The winger has faced Inter 19 times – more than any other club in his career (do you see a theme?) – with six goal contributions to his name.
On the other side is Inter’s Champions League hero Benjamin Pavard, who is expected to play right centre-back. He scored what turned out to be the winner in the tie against his old club Bayern Munich, and has slotted into Inzaghi’s three-man back line well. In addition to being a competent defender, his role in building from the back is key, but it will be a defend-first job against Leao.
