Inter Milan vs AC Milan
For one team, it was a nightmare start; for the other, a dream come true.
This had not been the plan. Before kick-off, the ‘home’ supporters – both legs are being played at the San Siro ground AC and Inter share – unfurled a giant display of a devil’s face, along with the words: ‘Hell is empty, all the devils are here!’
What followed was a version of hell for players and fans of the hosts alike.
So now, on the eve of the second leg, the question is can AC Milan, who pipped their city rivals and neighbours to the Serie A title last year, save their season?
I suspect not and the SBOTOP Champions League betting odds concur.
Talking Points
Inter, the last Italian side to lift the trophy, come into the second leg riding a big wave after five consecutive wins in Serie A, scoring 18 goals and conceding just three in the process.
The latest was a 4-2 victory over Sassuolo on Saturday to cement third place in the table.
Of course, they are further boosted by their lightning quick start in last week’s first leg, a contest in which manager Simone Inzaghi saw his faith in experience handsomely pay off with 37 year-old Edin Dzeko and 34 year-old Henrikh Mkhitaryan the scorers.
It was actually the first time two players aged 34 or above had netted in a Champions League knockout match.
All that means it will take a turnaround of massive Champions League highlights proportions for Milan to rescue the tie.
They are in patchy form, as shown again on Saturday when, just a week after seeing off Lazio 2-0, they went down by the same scoreline at 18th placed Spezia.
After that match, some Milan players listened to what a group of their fans had to say before heading back down the tunnel – a gesture which seemed to be appreciated by what is considered a hardcore group of their supporters whose backing they will need more than ever if they are to turn the tie around.
Milan received a boost when Rafael Leao took part in training with the rest of the first team squad at Milanello on Sunday morning.
They have a chance but surely will need an early goal if they are to harbour any doubts in the minds of the ‘home’ team in the second leg.
Inter hold all the ace cards right now.
History
They have already met four times this term.
In September, Milan won a five-goal thriller in Serie A when Leao scored twice as the defending champions came from a goal down.
Leao opened his account by levelling after Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic had opened the scoring for Inter.
The Portugal forward crossed for Olivier Giroud to score, before beating two defenders to add Milan’s third and what proved to be the winner.
Dzeko brought Inter back into the game but Stefano Pioli’s side were the victors.
Inter have since gained a double dose of revenge.
In January, they defended their Italian Supercoppa crown with a 3-0 win over their city rivals.
Federico Dimarco opened the scoring with Dzeko doubling the lead inside the opening 21 minutes.
World Cup winner Lautaro Martinez rounded off the win by scoring his team’s third.
A few weeks later Martinez netted the only goal as Inter won the return league fixture.
And then there was last week’s first leg.
Of course, these sides have real history in this competition.
Milan have won both previous contests on aggregate against their neighbours, including at this stage of their victorious 2002/03 campaign.
In the semi-finals that season, Héctor Cúper’s Inter drew 0-0 in the first leg for which they were the designated away team.
Andriy Shevchenko broke the deadlock in the tie with Milan’s opener in the return. Obafemi Martins levelled six minutes from time but Inter were unable to score again and bowed out on away goals.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Milan went on to beat another Italian side, Juventus, 3-2 on penalties after the final at Old Trafford had finished goalless.
Shevchenko was again on target in the 2004/05 quarter-final between the clubs when his 74th minute strike added to a first-half goal from Jaap Stam to claim a 2-0 home first-leg win against Roberto Mancini’s Inter.
Milan progressed after being awarded a 3-0 forfeit victory in the return.
The sides have met in 220 previous fixtures, Inter winning 82 – including four of the last five – and Milan 71 with 67 draws.
Inter also won the last two-legged contest between the clubs, running out 3-0 victors in last season’s Coppa Italia semi-finals. After a 0-0 draw in the away first leg, two first-half Martínez goals in the return put Inter in charge before Robin Gosens completed the win with a third.
Betting Tip
For me, much of Inter’s work are done and I think they will overcome a spirited start from Milan and progress to the Istanbul final with a 1X2 Draw @ 3.20 – my ** prediction.
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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