Inter vs Milan 2023: Everything You Need to Know About the Derby of the Year
If you are a fan of Italian football, you know that there is no bigger match than Inter vs Milan. The two giants of Serie A have a long and fierce rivalry that dates back to more than a century ago. On May 21, 2023, they will clash again in a crucial game that could decide the fate of the league title and the Champions League spots. In this article, you will find a comprehensive preview of the derby, including its history, its current situation, its main stars, and its potential scenarios.
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| Inter vs Milan 2023: A preview of the epic Champions League semi-final showdown |
## The history
Inter and Milan have a rich history of success in Italy and Europe, with 10 and 7 European Cups to their names respectively. They play in the same stadium, also called San Siro, and their games are called the Derby della Madonnina, one of the most fiery and emotional derbies in world football.
The last time Inter and Milan clashed in the Champions League was in 2005, when they met in the quarter-finals. Milan won the first leg 2-0, but the second leg was stopped after 73 minutes because of Inter fans throwing flares on the pitch. Milan got a 3-0 win by default and moved on to the semi-finals.
The winner of Inter vs Milan 2023 would take on either Real Madrid or Manchester City in the final, which will take place on Saturday, 3 June 2023 at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey.
## The form
Inter have a clear advantage over their rivals in Serie A, with 26 wins out of 34 games so far. They have the best offense and defense in the league, with 79 goals scored and only 28 goals allowed. They have also shown their quality in Europe, winning their group ahead of Real Madrid and Borussia Mönchengladbach, and beating Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the knockout stages.
Milan are behind Inter in Serie A, but have struggled to maintain their form lately, dropping four of their last eight games. They have scored 66 goals and conceded 38 goals, depending heavily on their star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has scored 21 goals in 25 games. They have also proven their toughness in Europe, coming second in their group behind Paris Saint-Germain, and defeating Juventus and Chelsea in the knockout stages.
## The key players
Both teams have a lot of talent and experience in their ranks, but some players are more likely to make a difference or change the game.
For Inter, Lautaro Martinez is their leading scorer in the Champions League with six goals, including the crucial one in the first leg against Milan. The Argentine striker has created a deadly partnership with Romelu Lukaku, who has netted five goals and set up four more in Europe. The Belgian forward is also Inter’s leading scorer in Serie A with 23 goals.
For Milan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is their main danger and leader on and off the field. The Swedish legend has netted four goals and created three more in the Champions League, despite being absent for some games due to injury or suspension. The former Inter player will be keen to show his quality against his old club and help Milan reach their first final since 2007.
Other players to keep an eye on are Inter’s Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who scored in the first leg and have been important throughout the season; and Milan’s Theo Hernandez and Franck Kessie, who have been strong and energetic in defense and midfield respectively.
## The possible scenarios
Inter have a big lead going into the second leg, having won on the road and not let in any goals. They only have to avoid losing by more than two goals to clinch their spot in the final. They can also score an away goal to put more difficulty on Milan.
Milan have a hard job ahead of them, needing to score at least three goals without letting any in to reverse the deficit. They can also aim for a penalty shootout if they manage to win 2-0 after extra time.
The game is expected to be tight and thrilling, with both teams battling for glory and pride. It could also be a historic event, as it could be the last time that Ibrahimovic faces Inter or that Lukaku wears Inter’s shirt, as both players have been rumored to leave their clubs.
Whatever happens, Inter vs Milan 2023 will be a match to cherish for all football fans.
