Inter Milan vs AC Milan
Easter weekend was a truly miserable experience for both Milan’s finest.
AC Milan’s league season to forget continued as they went down 1-0 at home to Atalanta, a result which leave them in ninth place in the Italian top flight.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Inter Milan made sure the prediction from this SBOTOP pundit ‘went for a burton’ as they were beaten by a last-gasp goal at Bologna.
Of course, the best way to bounce back from a fall is get up on the horse again and that is what both Milan giants will aim to do in the Coppa Italia in midweek.
The incentive is mighty with local bragging rights and, even more importantly, a place in the final in the Stadio Olimpico in mid-May at stake with Bologna the likely opponents.
Talking Points
The two clubs who share the San Siro (Inter are deemed the home side for the second leg) go in search of Coppa Italia 2025 highlights deadlocked after the first leg ended 1-1.
Former Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham – who netted the winner in the Italian Super Cup Final against Inter in January – opened the scoring early in the second half, firing right-footed across goalkeeper Josep Martinez into the bottom corner.
However, a powerful long range drive from the influential Hakan Calhanoglu ensured the champions had parity after the first 90 minutes.
That was the fourth Milan derby of the season and Serie A leaders Inter have yet to win one, despite being 20 points better off than their city rivals in the Serie A standings.
They lead the table on goal difference from Napoli and boast a vastly superior goal difference.
Unfortunately for Inter, those details matter less than they used to. A rule introduced two seasons ago states that if two teams competing for the title, or to avoid relegation, finish level on points, the matter must be settled with a play-off.
However, that may be jumping the gun and, for now at least, the Champions League semi-finalists must focus on finally beating their neighbours and rivals for the first time this campaign.
The hosts will once again be without the injured duo Denzel Dumfries and Piotr Zielinski, while Marcus Thuram is a doubt.
As for Milan, manager Sergio Conceicao has switched to a 3-4-3 setup over the past couple of weeks and is still missing full-backs Kyle Walker and Emerson Royal, along with England midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Milan will be fresher given Inter’s commitments across all competitions and that could give them renewed impetus.
The home side, though, remain slight favourites.
History
Overall, Inter have a slight edge but Milan have the advantage this term.
As well as that superb comeback in the final of the Italian Super Cup, they won the league fixture in September when an 89th minute header from Matteo Gabbia clinched the points after first half goals from Christian Pulisic and Federico Dimarco.
The other league game in February ended 1-1 (just like the first leg of this tie) when Stefan de Vrij scored a 90th minute equaliser to rescue a point after Tijjani Reijnders had fired Milan in front.
Inter enjoyed a league double over Milan last term on their way to title glory as a 5-1 home victory in September was followed by a 2-1 away win which clinched Serie A when Francesco Acerbi and Thuram scored their goals.
These sides have real history in Europe too.
Two seasons ago, Inter prevailed in an all-Milan two-legged Champions League semi-final.
Milan, though, saw off their neighbours at the same stage of their victorious 2002/03 campaign before Carlo Ancelotti’s side went on to beat another Italian side, Juventus, 3-2 on penalties after the final at Old Trafford had finished goalless.
Betting Tip
Our Coppa Italia 2025 betting odds back Inter 1X2 @ 2.05 and Milan 1X2 @ 3.16 with the draw on offer @ 3.15.
A third successive 1-1 draw will pay out with Correct Score @ 6.40, while goal options include total 0-1 @ 3.35, 2-3 @ 2.00, 4-6 @ 3.13 and over 2.75 @ 2.05.
This could be yet another draw but I suspect Inter will not go five games in a single season without laying a glove on Milan and that is why I’m expecting them to overcome fatigue and prove too strong from the outset in this encounter.
I do expect this to be another close call, a contest which befits a semi-final, but my *** tip is Half Time Full Time Home Home @ 3.29.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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