When AC Milan and Roma drew each other in the Europa League quarter-finals there was instantly a sense of anticipation ahead of an all-Italian clash on the continental stage.
Milan booked their place in the last eight thanks to a 7-3 aggregate win against Slavia Praha. After a 4-2 victory at San Siro, the job was completed in the Czech capital last month thanks to a 3-1 triumph.
The draw for the final eight of the competition took place at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland one day later and there were certainly some teams that looked like fierce opponents on paper.
Milan were the first team out in the draw, and they were pitted against domestic rivals Roma who are certainly having a resurgence under Daniele De Rossi.
Then, the semi-final draw followed and it determined that the Rossoneri – should they get past the Giallorossi – will face the winner of West Ham United versus Bayer Leverkusen.
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Sell-outs await
The European match between Milan and Roma will not only be felt on the pitch, but also in the stands, because the two sets of fans have shown that they are among those who have the greatest attachment to their team.
San Siro in the first leg and the Stadio Olimpico in the return will be very hostile indeed, especially given the rivalry between the two sides which has intensified with the passing of the year.
In Thursday’s first leg between Milan and Roma, the stadium will obviously be sold-out, as tickets were bought up immediately. In Europe, Milan have earned €18m at the box office this season, the highest earning match was Milan-PSG with €7.7m.
The return leg at the Olimpico on Thursday 18 April will also be sold out, the 53rd sell-out of the Friedkin era. Unlike the other matches, in the case of Roma-Milan, the prices were very high.
The Giallorossi are aiming for the all-time takings record by beating that of the 2018 Champions League semi-final with Liverpool, which brought in around €5.5m.
Below is the draw in full, and the dates of the two legs:
AC Milan vs. Roma
Liverpool vs. Atalanta
Bayer Leverkusen vs. West Ham
Benfica vs. Marseille
Quarter-final first legs: 11 April
Quarter-final second legs: 18 April
Semi-final first legs: 2 May
Semi-final second legs: 9 May
Final: 22 May
Familiar opponents
De Rossi was interview by DAZN after the derby on Saturday was asked about the immediate future for him and his side, namely the first of two matches with Milan in the Europa League quarter-finals scheduled for Thursday evening at 21:00 CEST at San Siro.
“I have my staff who forbid me from watching the teams we will face next time, there is this agreement and for now it has worked,” he said (via Radio Rossonera).
“I know Milan. We’ve seen them 1000 times and we’ll be preparing it from this evening, but a little lighter, a little more relaxed.”
Roma have been resurgence under the former midfielder, but they go into the European tie 13 points behind Milan in the league, something which makes the Rossoneri favourites on paper.
