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The city of Milan will come alive when two of its biggest clubs clash again in the semi-final of the Champions League.
The Champions League takes centre stage in Milan as city rivals AC Milan take on Inter Milan in the first leg of their semi-final clash.
Although AC Milan are the home team, it does not matter as they both share the same famous San Siro ground.
The clash is a repeat of their semi-final clash in the 2003/2004 season and the quarter-final encounter a year later, with AC Milan progressing on both occasions.
Wednesday’s clash will be the fourth instalment of the derby this season, having met twice in the league and once in the Supercoppa Italiana.
Although the derby has lost its glamour in recent years due to a lack of world-class talents, it is still one of the biggest derbies in world football, and there are some brilliant players in both squads.
With that said, we look at five players to watch in this latest instalment of the Milan derby.
Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
AC Milan would not be in this position if not for the heroics of their goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
The France goalkeeper single-handedly kept Napoli at bay in the first leg of the quarter-finals before saving Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s penalty in the second leg.
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He was also brilliant for the Rossoneri in their second-round clash against Tottenham Hotspur. The former Lille man is averaging 3.2 saves per game in this season’s competition and has conceded just three goals.
If Milan are to progress to the final, they will need Maignan to reproduce his magic across the two legs.
Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan)
Lukaku’s second spell at Inter has not gone according to plan, but the Chelsea loanee has picked up form at the right time.
The Belgium international has struggled for form for most parts of the season, no thanks to injuries and lack of minutes.
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However, he appears to have finally unlocked his old form at the business end of the season. Lukaku has six goal contributions (three goals and three assists) in Inter’s last four league games and also scored in Inter’s win over Benfica and Porto in previous knockout rounds.
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21:34 - 09.05.2023
ANALYSIS LuLa revived: Inzaghi must trust Lukaku and Lautaro against Milan
Inter Milan’s dynamic duo are on song, and it is imperative to deploy them in tandem in the Champions League Derby della Madonnina double-header.
Inter will hope the ex-Manchester United man continues in the same vein against their city rivals.
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Lukaku’s partner in crime Lautaro Martinez will also be key for Inter on Wednesday night. Martinez has been firing in the goals in the absence of Lukaku, having scored 19 league goals for the Nerrazzuri this season.
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However, the World Cup winner has not really lit up the Champions League this year, with just two goals to his name.
Martinez will be eager to add to his tally, though, and there is no better match to do that than the one against AC Milan.
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22:23 - 09.05.2023
Milan vs Inter: We can eliminate anyone — Pioli boasts
AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli bigs up his side ahead of UCL semi-final clash against Inter.
The Argentine star has a good record against Inter’s city rivals, with seven goals in 12 matches in all competitions.
Rafael Leao (AC Milan)
If Maignan is what makes Milan tick at the back, then we can say the same about Rafael Leao in the attack.
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Without Leao, the Rossoneri would have probably lost their quarter-final tie against Napoli. He was unplayable in the first leg, while his solo run in the second leg led to the vital away goal.
Leao has five assists and one goal in the Champions League this season, more goal contributions than any other Milan player.
His availability for the game remains in doubt, but Milan will be hoping he passes a late fitness test.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Inter Milan)
Hakan Çalhanoğlu will hope luck is finally on his side this time. The Turkish star has a lot to prove in this game.
He was with AC Milan when Inter won the League title. Shortly after, he left the red half of Milan for the Nerazzurri, but he suffered another bad luck as AC Milan won the league title last season.
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His manner of departure left a bad taste in Milan fans' mouths. Nonetheless, Çalhanoğlu will hope to end his bad run of luck this time by firing Inter to the final.
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