To say that tonight’s match between AC Milan and Inter in the Champions League semi-finals has been eagerly anticipated is a huge understatement.
The world will be watching a city divide in two legs over six days with the red side and the blue side battling for a spot in the final in Istanbul. Taking the occasion out of it a bit, Milan will need to be at their best to neutralise a dangerous opponent, and the official website has highlighted some key trends.
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The Nerazzurri have kept a clean sheet in six of their 10 Champions League matches this season, while Simone Inzaghi has yet to concede a goal to Milan in matches played not in the Serie A (six previous in the Coppa Italia and one in the Supercoppa Italiana).
Inter are now known for pressing high up the field with numbers to try and win the ball back in dangerous areas, as seen by the 309 total offensive recoveries in the current league season and 55 shots following these.
It is no coincidence that Inter have scored five goals in Serie A following an offensive recovery, fewer only than Milan who have scored six). In addition, they are keen to supply the front two with 605 crosses from open play – a record in the current tournament – 147 of which were successful (another record).
Since the start of the calendar year Inter have attempted 343 shots in the top flight which is a record in the top five European leagues.
Meanwhile, Lautaro Martínez has often shown a special liking for the Milan derby with seven goals in 12 career games against Milan. He has five goals and two assists in his last four Serie A appearances.
The Argentine’s attacking partner will be one of Edin Džeko or Romelu Lukaku, with the Belgian having been involved in 10 Inter goals and assists since March.
Then there is the left side where Federico Dimarco operates. No player has provided more assists in open play than the left-back (4) in the Champions League this season. The last Inter player to have served more in a single season in the competition was Samuel Eto’o in 2010-11 (5).
Finally there is the Bastoni-Barella duo: the defender’s long balls often find the midfielder’s runs and it has already happened three times this season, two of them in away Champions League matches against Barcelona and Benfica.
mhmm, Tomori has been easily caught on crosses numerous times..
Inter midfielders: calha, brozovic, barella and miki remind me with the legendary milan midfielder: ambrosini, pirlo, seedorf, rino and kaka. Dribbler, acurate passer , aggresive and keeper the ball.