Champions League semi-final picks, predictions, odds: experts like AC Milan to beat Inter in the first leg

One of the biggest rivalries in world soccer writes its final chapter on Wednesday when AC Milan hosts Inter Milan in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. It’s the Derby della Madonnina on one of the biggest stages, two decades after they last met in the UCL semi-finals. Both teams have won recent Serie A crowns, but they are craving that continental glory with the chance here to gain a lead ahead of next week’s second leg. Both teams play their home games at the San Siro so travel won’t be necessary, but you can expect incredibly passionate crowds on both legs with the stakes high.

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Wednesday broadcast schedule

match picks

AC Milan

By Jonathan Johnson

A player to watch: Rafael Leao has been one of the stars of this European season and the Portuguese international is a key figure for Milan. A dazzling assist to help Olivier Giroud score the goal that helped the Rossoneri to this stage was nothing short of brilliant and the 23-year-old’s electric pace makes him a tricky client for even the most seasoned defenders. If Stefano Pioli’s men play to their strengths, Inter will know all about the damage they can do having scored twice and assisted another in a 3-2 derby win earlier this campaign.

Underestimated X-factor: Although Milan are technically the “home” team in this opening game, both games will be played at their home San Siro with varying levels of support for Diavolo in the crowd. He makes the “out” leg less daunting and should help with more consistency on both legs. The sight of the Champions League semi-finals returning to Milan after a long absence promises to be a sight to behold for any football neutral.

Main reason they will win: Mike Maignan is as decisive as he is between the sticks and, although Inter have Andre Onana in the opposite goal, the French goalkeeper is arguably one of the best at the moment. The 27-year-old has excellent reflexes and is adept when it comes to avoiding penalties too – a great quality goalkeeper can win these games for teams and Maignan is one of the best at the moment. In a tie that promises to be close on both legs, the former Lille and PSG player could tip the tie in favor of Milan.

Main reason they will lose: Milan’s season depends on these two games and that puts a lot of pressure on the seven times European kings. Win and advance to the final and the Rossoneri will be delighted with the achievement, but a loss to their bitter rivals given their shaky form in Serie A and Europe could be lost for next campaign. Stefano Pioli and his players have 180 minutes to potentially give themselves a shot at glory and possibly continental football for the next term as well. His 2022 Scudetto suddenly feels far in the past.

Bury

By Francesco Portio

A player to watch: Andre Onana is one of the players to watch in the Derby della Madonnina semi-final, as the goalkeeper has been a crucial player for Simone Inzaghi’s side during the current Champions League campaign. The former Ajax player arrived at the Italian club last summer as a free agent and soon became a starter after Inter captain Samir Handanovic lost his starting job after some crucial mistakes early in the season.

Underestimated X-factor: Compared to their city rivals, Inter have a deeper squad. In fact, Simone Inzaghi can now finally count on the full roster, apart from defender Milan Skriniar, who is still recovering from a back injury and will miss the end of the season, before joining PSG as a free agent in the summer. For the first time this year, Inter’s four forwards are all fit and Inzaghi can rotate them during the match.

Main reason they will win: Inter are in much better shape at the moment compared to AC Milan and have won their last five games in a row, including the last four Serie A games (including two wins against Lazio and Roma) and qualified for the final of the Coppa Italia that will be played. at the end of the month against Fiorentina. Inter’s squad is deeper and Inzaghi can count on all the players for the last stretch of the 2022-23 season.

Main reason they will lose: The Derby della Madonnina is unpredictable and AC Milan showed this year that they perform better in the Champions League compared to the Italian league. In the quarter-finals, the Rossoneri eliminated Napoli in both legs despite the fact that the team led by Luciano Spalletti dominated Serie A this year. Portuguese winger Rafael Leao should be fit to play and after picking up a muscle injury against Lazio last Saturday, and he is definitely the more talented player between the two teams.

Prediction

It will definitely be a tense game, but as happened in 2003 when these two teams met in the Champions League semi-finals, they will be very careful not to concede goals in the first game. Choose: AC Milan 0, Inter 0. — Francesco Porzio