What line-ups will Inter and AC field for the Champions League semi-final return leg?

Milan’s big clubs will face another Derby della Madonnina on Tuesday 16 May, or a rematch in the Champions League semi-finals. What line-ups are both teams likely to field? The Rossoneri should see the return of key man Rafael Leão.

The first leg of the Champions League semi-final went much better for Inter not only in terms of results but also in terms of play. The Nerazzurri scored two quick goals, with Edin Džeko opening the scoring in the eighth minute.

Three minutes later Henrik Mkhitaryan added a second goal and Inter were already two goals up. In the rest of the match, they had chances to increase their lead, but Simone Inzaghi’s charges failed to do so.

However, the Nerazzurri will go into the rematch with a comfortable two-goal lead, and now they will have more support from their own fans, as Inter as the home team have a larger number of tickets available.

Moreover, Inter are in really great form, having won seven in a row and beaten Lazio, AS Roma and Juventus in the fight for the Champions League places for next year.

They have moved up to third in Serie A with 66 points. AC’s form is poor. Most of its games in April showed that – home draws with Empoli or Cremonese, clear defeats against Inter or at Spezia.

So the upcoming duel has a pretty clear favourite. So what line-ups will the two Milan teams field for the Champions League semi-final rematch?

Probable line-ups

Not much will change on Inter’s side, the Nerazzurri cannot count on Milan Škriniar. Coach Inzaghi will probably reach for the option with strikers Jack and Lautaro Martinez again, Romelu Lukaku will start on the bench.

The Rossoneri are missing Ismaël Bennacer, who probably won’t play for the rest of the season. The great news for AC fans is that Rafael Leão returns to the game. Júnior Messias might not make it into the game either, but there Stefano Pioli has a better alternative in the form of Alexis Saelemaekers.

Inter (3-5-2): Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Dzeko.

Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernandez; Tonali, Krunic; Saelemaekers, Diaz, Leao; Giroud.

Football Italia, UEFA Champions League