ROME — As AC Milan heads into their Italian Cup semifinal clash against Inter Milan, the stakes could not be more contrasting for the rival teams. For Milan, the Cup presents a crucial opportunity to secure European football next season, amidst their struggles in Serie A. Currently sitting ninth and nine points adrift from a Champions League spot, Milan’s hopes were further dented by a 2-1 defeat to Napoli last weekend. Winning the Italian Cup would guarantee them a spot in the Europa League, offering a lifeline in an otherwise disappointing season.
“We’re frustrated by the loss because we played with determination towards the end,” Milan’s coach, Sergio Conceicao, remarked following their setback at Napoli. “Wednesday provides us a chance to alter our course.”
Their upcoming Cup semifinal marks the fourth derby clash of the season between Milan and Inter. Milan triumphed in the first two encounters, but the last meeting ended in a stalemate. A 2-1 victory in Serie A last September alerted Inter, the current Serie A leaders, to the competition posed by Milan. The Italian Super Cup in January witnessed Milan staging a dramatic comeback to win 3-2 against Inter. The teams last drew 1-1 in Serie A.
Milan’s European campaign was cut short with a defeat to Feyenoord in the Champions League playoffs, underscoring the importance of the domestic Cup for them.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan maintains its ambitions across multiple fronts. They’re set to face Bayern Munich in next week’s Champions League quarterfinals, and their coach, Simone Inzaghi, has set his sights on a potentially historic season. “We are targeting four titles,” said Inzaghi, referring to the Serie A, Coppa Italia, Champions League, and the upcoming Club World Cup in the U.S.
Inter managed a 2-1 victory over Udinese in their latest league outing, even without key striker Lautaro Martinez, who was injured during the international break. Martinez’s return is uncertain, yet defender Alessandro Bastoni is expected back alongside Federico Dimarco, who was instrumental in their weekend triumph.
For Milan, the potential recovery of Rafael Leao is promising news, as the Portugal winger is poised to start. However, they continue to miss midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek following his recent appendectomy.
Bologna and Empoli will contest the other semifinal. Bologna is enjoying strong form, winning their last five matches in Serie A and eyeing another entry into Champions League football. Empoli, on the other hand, hopes to continue its Cup journey after edging out Juventus in a tense penalty shootout. Historical context places Bologna as twice winners of the Italian Cup, whereas Empoli looks to outdo its trio of Serie B titles.
In addition to the matches themselves, the Italian league plans to introduce in-stadium announcements detailing VAR decision-making for the first time, a move previously tested in England and Germany. This development is aimed at enhancing the spectator experience during the Cup games.