All four teams in the Champions League semi-finals are based in cities whose names begins with the letter M: Manchester, Madrid and Milan. Magnificent.
Most of this week’s focus has been on the blockbuster battle between Real Madrid and Manchester City yet even that titanic affair lacks the intensity of the Milanese derby.
Both clubs play at the marvellous San Siro and both are faring well in Serie A with just one place and two points separating them in the table.
With four matches remaining, Inter are fourth with 63 points and Milan fifth with 61 and this almighty European pairing – with a place in the Champions League final at stake – only ramps up the drama.
Their two league meetings this season both resulted in ‘home’ wins, with the Rossoneri celebrating a 3-2 victory in September and the Nerazzurri gaining revenge with a 1-0 success in February.
Milan reached the last four by overcoming Tottenham before a more impressive victory over newly-crowned Serie A champions Napoli in the last eight, while Coppa Italia finalists Inter started the knockout stages by defeating Porto then easing past their Portuguese rivals Benfica.
It all points to another close affair in the semi-final first leg, with Inter preferred at 6/4 with Betfred.
Lautaro Martinez, reportedly a summer transfer target for numerous Premier League clubs, has scored 23 times in all competitions for Inter this season.
The Nerazzurri have reached the Coopa Italia final (Picture: Getty Images)© Provided by Metro
He’s 5/1 with bet365 to net the opening goal and 21/10 with the same firm to extend his current hot streak of six goals in his last six outings by scoring at any time in this edition of the Derby della Madonnina.
- Aryna Sabalenka, champion on the red clay in Madrid at the weekend, should be backed each-way at 6/1 with Paddy Power in the Italian Open.
- Jer Batt, Oaks favourite Savethelastdance and Arrest form a lovely treble on the opening day of the Chester May Festival.
SOURCE: MSN/Metro