AC Milan and Inter will face each other in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2003, when the Rossoneri prevailed on an away goal. Two of the players in that game have now weighed in on the new clash.
Milan, Inter and Napoli were all very lucky in the Champions League quarter-final draw, ending up on the same side along with Benfica. Now just Milan and Inter remain and it will thus be a ‘EuroDerby’ in the semi-final.
Speaking to Gazzetta Dello Sport (via MilanNews), Andriy Shevchenko shared his thoughts on what it was like to play the EuroDerby back in 2003. Billy Costacurta has done the same and had similar words to the striker.
Shevchenko: “There was great tension, great anticipation but above all passion, and always with civil attitudes. The Milan derby is very heartfelt, because there is never hatred. I also remember that especially in the two-three days leading up to the game it was hard to fall asleep, and then we shared the excitement with each other. But once you enter San Siro, everything ends and you focus on what you have to do.”
Costacurta: “It was a turmoil of emotions. It was a continuous disturbance because I couldn’t sleep. It was the only period in which I had trouble falling asleep and probably, for that reason, everything bothered me. It was the tension…”
Milan will be the designated home side in the first leg, scheduled for May 10th, and the return will take place six days later. It will be six days of great tension as both clubs dream of making it to the final.
