AC Milan vs Inter Milan Live Updates: UCL 2022-23

10:30 PM: Hello everyone and welcome to Khel Now’s LIVE COVERAGE of the AC Milan vs Inter Milan match in the UEFA Champions League 2022-23. The kick-off is just two hours away! I’m your host Sayantan, and I’ll be keeping you company through what promises a fascinating evening of football. Please wait for 30 Seconds for the Live blog to load.

AC Milan have made it to the semi finals after a long 16-year halt. Stefano Pioli has turned the tide around and brought glory back at the red and black camp. Although their opponents from Thursday are no strangers, as they host their ultimate rivals Inter Milan at their own backyard for the first leg. Milan have only lost one of their previous six semi final matches they hosted at the San Siro in the UEFA Champions League (W4, D1) -0-1 vs Barcelona in the 2005-06 first leg. This will be the fifth time that Milan and Inter have faced each other in European competition, with Milan unbeaten across the previous four (W2, D2).

Inter on the other hand also had to wait for 13 years to get back on this grand stage. Since Mourinho’s men got the treble back in 2010, the pride of the Nerrazzuri has not been at the highest level since then. But Simone Inzaghi has chalked up a team which can go on and win the competition again. Milan and Inter have already met each other on three occasions across all competitions in 2022-23, with Inter winning each of the last two (D1). Inter lost their first meeting with Milan this season by 3-2 in Serie A last September, however have managed to come back and defeat them consecutively (0-3 in the Italian Cup and 0-1 in Serie A).

Player to Watch Out

AC Milan: Raphael Leao

Leao’s direct style of attacking where he looks to aggressively accelerate past the defender makes him a nightmare for full backs to face. His long stretches and bursts of speed might be a problem for Dumfries and Di Marco down the sides. He has 5 assists and a goal in the Champions League this season.

Inter Milan: Romelu Lukaku

He excels at moving his opponent, and then moving again to receive the ball, when his timing creates the necessary room to receive and then potentially shoot at goal. His link play is similarly effective. The partnership of him and Lautaro Martinez has reignited in the recent weeks and he might be chosen ahead of the reliable Edin Dzeko.

Match Facts

Milan and Inter previously met at this stage of the UEFA Champions League back in 2002-03, with Milan progressing to the final on away goals (1-1 in aggregate).

Milan have conceded only one goal in their last six matches in the Champions League, with that lone strike coming in the 93rd minute against Napoli last time out.

Injury and Team News

AC Milan have a deep squad and Pioli has been rotating his players quite diligently. Involved in a direct fight against Inter to secure a Champions League spot next season in Serie A, Pioli has involved more than 16 players who have played more than 1000 minutes in Serie A alone. The pairing of Kalulu and Tomori at the back has looked promising with Kjaer also involved in some of the matches. Ismail Bennacer has been at the helm of all attack minded play and been among the goals lately too with the only notable absentee being the veteran Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Milan Skriniar will be a major miss for this fixture as he is out with a lumbar vertebra fracture till the end of May 2023. Although Robin Gosens wouldn’t have probably made it to the first XI in place of Dimarco, he won’t be available with a shoulder injury. Calhanoglu and Barella have been bossing the midfield with Lukaku and Martinez in among the goals. Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco will make the most out of their speed down the flanks to provide the goods up front.

Head-to-head Stats

Matches – 31

AC Milan– 9

Draws – 8

Inter Milan– 14

Predicted Lineup for AC Milan vs Inter Milan

AC Milan Predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): 

Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Kalulu, Hernandez; Krunic, Tonali; Messias, Bennacer, Leao; Giroud

Inter Milan Predicted lineup (3-5-2): 

Onana; De Vrij, Bastoni, Acerbi; Dumfries, Dimarco, Brozovic, Barella, Calhanoglu; Martinez, Lukaku