Inter and Milan will trade tackles in a mouth-watering Coppa Italia semi-final tie at the start of next month. For Inter, reaching the final has become an all-too-familiar feeling.
Simone Inzaghi had guided the Nerazzurri to back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023 before Bologna stopped them in their tracks last term. On the other hand, Milan last featured in the title-deciding fixture in 2018, losing to Juventus 4-0.
Fresh off claiming a flattering ‘Golden Bench’ award, Inzaghi will look to steer Inter back to the Coppa Italia throne. Leading bookmakers and online casino back the reigning Scudetto holders to go all the way in Italy’s most prominent cup competition.
However, overcoming Milan has proved a tall order for Inzaghi’s treble-bidding side. Indeed, they’ve gone winless in all three competitive meetings with fellow San Siro tenants in 2024/25, including a gut-wrenching 3-2 defeat in the Supercoppa Italiana final in January.
Despite beating Inter to the punch to lift the trophy in only his second match in charge of the Rossoneri, Sergio Conceicao probably won’t last beyond the summer. With Milan stranded in Serie A mid-table, the Portuguese boss could follow in the footsteps of Paulo Fonseca.
At least he can walk away with dignity.
History Beckons for Inter
Only Juventus (15) have won more Coppa Italia trophies than Inter’s nine. That’s as many triumphs as Roma, meaning the Nerazzurri can become only the second team in competition history to hit double digits, with 270 minutes potentially standing between them and the podium.
Securing Coppa Italia glory would bring Inzaghi closer to replicating Jose Mourinho’s feat from 2010. Indeed, the ‘Special One’ remains the only manager in Inter history to win a coveted treble. The 48-year-old could match this incredible achievement this season.
Indeed, Inter are four points clear of runners-up Napoli in Serie A. Meanwhile, they’ve booked a blockbuster quarter-final date against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. And finally, they take on Milan in this heavyweight Coppa Italia showdown.
The road is tumultuous, but no one can discard Inter as a genuine treble contender.
Saving Grace
Despite heavily reinforcing the squad in the last two transfer windows, Milan’s season stands on the brink of collapse. Already out of the Champions League, Conceicao’s charges languish six points behind fourth-placed Bologna in Serie A.
Therefore, a fifth consecutive top-four finish is anything but a foregone conclusion. A failed attempt to secure a seat at Europe’s top table would significantly impact the dynamics of Milan’s transfer dealings in the summer amid talks several first-team stars could leave the club.
As such, Milan fans may need to settle for a consolation prize. However, given the Rossoneri‘s long-standing title drought in the Coppa Italia, it would be a refreshing experience. They last won the trophy in this competition in 2003.
Overall, Milan have conquered the Coppa Italia on only five occasions.
Prediction
In addition to Milan’s impressive results against Inter this season, Inzaghi’s team will enter this tie without vital first-team assets. Denzel Dumfries is out with a hamstring injury, while Lautaro Martinez faces a race against time to make the squad.
With that in mind, Milan could stage another upset and dismantle Inter’s treble dream.
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