Inter Milan Faces AC Milan in High-Stakes Coppa Italia Clash

MILAN, ITALY – April 23, 2025 – Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi has named a strong squad for the Coppa Italia semifinal second leg against city rivals AC Milan, with kickoff set for 21:00 CET at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

This match marks the fifth derby between the teams this season and is crucial for both sides. The winner will advance to the final, while Inter also has a Serie A match against Roma and a Champions League semifinal to prepare for in the coming days.

Inzaghi opted to start Mehdi Taremi alongside club captain Lautaro Martinez in attack. Taremi received the nod over Joaquin Correa and Marko Arnautovic, who will start on the bench for this match.

Josep Martinez continues in goal for Inter, having established himself as the cup keeper, while Alp Bisseck makes a rare start in the defense alongside Stefan De Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni. Following a recent league loss, the coach made several tactical adjustments, giving rest to key players such as Hakan Calhanoglu.

Alongside Taremi and Martinez, Inter’s midfield features Nicolo Barella, Kristjan Asllani, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, with Federico Dimarco and Matteo Darmian anchoring the flanks.

AC Milan, managed by Sergio Conceiçao, counters with their strongest available lineup, including goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defenders Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia, and Strahinja Pavlovic. Their midfield features Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders, with attackers Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao, and Luka Jovic bolstering their efforts.

Both teams enter this critical match with high stakes, especially for Inter, who are hoping to avoid further setbacks after their recent loss to Bologna. The intense atmosphere in the stadium is expected, with fans anticipating thrilling play from both sides.

As the whistle blows, this semifinal clash could define the seasons of both squads. Extra time and penalties may be needed if the game ends in a draw after 90 minutes.