Coppa Italia: Milan Seek Semi-final Advantage Against Struggling Inter

AC Milan vs Inter Milan

AC Milan and Inter Milan meet in the Coppa Italia for the second straight year, this time in the semi-final stage. They faced off in the quarter-finals last season, with Inter going through thanks to a clutch Christian Eriksen free-kick.

The Coppa Italia 2022 betting odds have Inter Milan favoured to come out on top again in the first leg of their two-legged semi-final tie.

But Milan got the better of their city rivals in their most recent derby meeting earlier this month and will look to capitalise once again on the Nerazzurri’s declining form of late to grab a first-leg advantage.

Talking Points

AC Milan missing their crucial chances

AC Milan missed a tremendous opportunity to extend their Serie A lead over Inter to four points as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by struggling Udinese.

The Rossoneri’s title hopes were renewed by their six-game unbeaten run coupled with Inter’s recent slide, but they have drawn their last two games in a row after they were also held 2-2 by bottom-side Salernitana.

Milan once again started Olivier Giroud up front with Zlatan Ibrahimovic still out injured. Giroud had been in fantastic form and scored a brace in back-to-back games, including two in Milan’s comeback derby win earlier this month. However, the veteran French forward has cooled off since and has been unable to find the net in his last three outings.

Milan will be hoping the in-form Rafael Leao can continue to add an attacking spark in the cup. The 22-year-old Portuguese forward scored Milan’s goal against Udinese, his sixth goal since the start of 2022.

Leao and Giroud have been responsible for most of Milan’s Coppa Italia 2022 highlights thus far. The two scored in their wins over Genoa (3-1) and Lazio (4-0) and have combined for five of their seven goals overall.

Inter in free fall in February

Inter have had quite a disastrous February. The Nerazzurri have won just once in their six matches in all competition during the month, which includes damaging home losses to Milan and Sassuolo in Serie A as well as a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool that could see them crash out of the Champions League.

Inter were again unable to pick up a much-needed victory as they were held to a goalless draw away to relegation-threatened Genoa. It’s the third straight game Inter have been held scoreless, which is a worrying trend.

Star striker Lautaro Martinez has been in a horrendous goal drought. He has not scored in his last nine appearances, with his last goal coming in Inter’s Italian Super Cup win over Juventus in January.

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi dropped the out-of-form Martinez in favour of Alexis Sanchez against Genoa, but the Chilean was also ineffective and is unlikely to keep his place in the starting XI.

The good news for Inter is that top winter signing Robin Gosens is finally fit to make his debut for the Nerazzurri in the cup. However, the former Atalanta wing-back has not played in months, and it remains to be seen just how effective he can be if he does play against Milan.

History

Inter hold an 84-78 edge over Milan in terms of official matches, with 68 draws. However, Milan hold a slight 10-8 edge in terms of Coppa Italia wins.

Inter have won six of the last nine meetings against Milan, with two defeats and one draw. But one of those Milan wins came just this month, as Olivier Giroud’s brace saw them come back to beat Inter 2-1 after Ivan Perisic had given the Nerazzurri the lead.

Betting Tip 

SBOTOP odds have Inter Milan installed as slight 2.28 favourites to win the first leg against Milan, who are priced at 2.94. Meanwhile, a draw is at 3.30.

Obviously, Inter’s dip in form is a concern. But Milan have not been that much better in recent games and they also have their own issues in attack.

Inter still have the more impressive attacking talent, though, and with their growing desperation to end their goal drought, it feels like just a matter of time before they start firing once again.

 

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