AC Milan are no strangers to drama and, for that matter, big nights in the Champions League. But in a match like Tuesday’s semi-final second leg (Internazionale vs. AC Milan at San Siro), it’s hard to stay neutral. If so, choose either team and settle in for another night full of hustle and bustle and memories of the good old days of Italian football. Here’s what you should know:
Viewing method
Inter vs. AC Milan will air on CBS (English) and Univision (Spanish) and will also be streamed on Paramount Plus. Seen elsewhere? Here is the full list of UEFA Broadcast Partners: here. Kickoff is 3 PM ET, regardless of what the ads, TV listings, or tweets say.
For in-game updates, click here.
Line-up: Leane starts without Lukaku
Inter decided to stick with the line-up that brought them victory in the first leg and leave no room for Romelu Lukaku.
The big news for AC Milan is the return of a healthy Rafael Leon to the starting line-up.
Inter Milan Preview: Pressure Points
Like a group of mischievous schoolchildren, the AC Milan players stood with their heads bowed and eyes fixed, accepting the opinion of the club’s ultras, the most dedicated and most organized fans. Manager Stefano Pioli, who stood among them as an example of active listening, nodded in agreement and understanding.
As Pioli later revealed, the Ultras simply wanted to “inspire and inspire” the team after a week of severe depression. Milan lost twice in four days. The first loss was the most damaging. Lost to city rivals Inter in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. And add salt to the wounds to Serie A 18th place Spezia.
Pioli’s words must be taken seriously, but from the outside, there was no atmosphere of a particularly moving match. The Milan players were devastated and gloomy when they were called to meet the fans after the match against Spezia. They didn’t give the impression that they appreciated being reminded of their responsibilities.
After all, they have plenty of pressure going into the second leg. First and foremost, of course, is reaching the Champions League final. Local pride is at stake. Being rejected by your housemate is miserable. And although the loss to Spezia saw Milan finish fifth in Serie A, it could be the club’s last Champions League appearance for at least a year.
In contrast to the atmosphere at Intel. Simone Inzaghi’s Inter, who spent most of the season in turmoil and stagnation, seem to have found their rhythm at the last minute. Inter have lost only once so far in April and have won their last seven games, including against Juventus, Lazio, Roma and Milan.
Last week at San Siro, technically Milan’s home game, Inter took control from the start and then held on, securing an unconquerable advantage with two early goals. He kept Milan a sporadic threat. Inter have an experienced and more grizzled team. When it returns, it can attract about 70,000 fans.
No matter how inspiring Milan finds conversations with the Ultras, it’s hard to avoid the suspicion that conversations may not be enough in the end.
first leg review
To be fair, if you only look at the first 30 seconds, you can see both goals where Inter took the initiative. But what’s really fun is the commentary on club production.
Naturally, Intel liked it.
Extended highlights (with English commentary) here.
what’s next?
The winner of Inter Milan will qualify for the Champions League final in Istanbul on 10 June. Each team will be happy to be back after a (for them) long absence.
The last time Inter reached the final was in 2010, when Jose Mourinho’s side defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 at Madrid’s Bernabéu. Milan’s last appearance in the final was in 2007. That night we won our seventh and most recent title with a 2-1 win against Liverpool.
