Derbies will always be a source of pulsating tension and edge-of-the-seat entertainment. Derbies in the UEFA Champions League, however, step things up a notch. On our hands is an Italian Champions League derby that was last played in the 2004/05 season and previously in the 2002/03 season. On both occasions, it was the Rossoneri to triumph over their city rivals.
AC MILAN
After eliminating Tottenham Hotspur and Napoli, AC Milan faces eternal rivals Inter in the quarter-finals of the UCL. The Rossoneri’s semi-final ties against Napoli weren’t absent from a fierce rivalry that we can only expect will erupt once again, when the San Siro lights up and the UCL anthem kicks off. AC Milan’s record against Inter is spotty at best. After a 3-2 win earlier in the season, the Rossoneri fell to a humiliating 3-0 defeat in the Supercoppa, with another 1-0 defeat coming in the Serie A shortly after.
Rossoneri fans will be hoping that their team steps up to the occasion in this ever-so-balanced UCL tie. It has been a long and unproductive season for AC Milan on many levels; progress to the first UCL final since 2007 would be a dream come true for many. Stefano Pioli won’t miss out on fielding hotshot Rafael Leao and big-moments-man Olivier Giroud up front, with Mike Maignan ready to contend for the best goalkeeper of the year.
With no clear favourites, AC Milan is priced 2.75 to win the fixture, with both teams to score listed at 1.88. Both halves to have less than 1.5 goals is valued at 2.05.
INTER
With a Supercoppa trophy secured, a Coppa Italia final against Fiorentina yet to be played and a UCL quarter-final tie against AC Milan, Inter has managed to turn a spotty season around. Although points in the Serie A are somewhat lacking, Inter fans will be over the moon if they can topple their city rivals and take on the challenge of beating either Real Madrid or Manchester City in the UCL final.
Despite Milan Skriniar’s disappearance from the starting line-up, most likely the result of his refusal to renew his contract, Inter is doing well to keep its shape at the back. Up front, Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez are resuming their superb link-up play that we last saw during Antonio Conte’s tenure at the club. With seven goals in 12 appearances against AC Milan, Martinez will be the one punters will look out for the most, with Lukaku would be a close second.
Just like AC Milan, Inter is listed 2.80 to win the game. Inter to win with a score of 1-0 is at 6.25, whereas the winning margin for Inter to be exactly one is at 3.90.
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*Odds subject to change. Odds correct at time of publishing