Inter look to banish years of misery
The Rossoneri have had the upper hand over their city rivals in recent years. Inter have had to contend themselves with three UEFA Cup triumphs since the club’s last Scudetto in 1989, as Milan have continued to be one of the dominant forces in world football, winning Europe’s elite club competition in 1989, 1990, 1994 and 2003 as well as countless domestic trophies.
On the way to their last Champions League triumph two years ago, Milan beat Inter in the semi-final on the away goals rule after a 1-1 draw in their ‘away’ leg.
Inter coach Roberto Mancini knows that his players will have to keep their heads in what will doubtlessly be a heated atmosphere if they are to banish the memories of that painful night in 2003.
“It’s quite an important match, but we have to remember that it’s a football match, even though it’s a wonderful one to play in. I’d pay a lot to be able to play this game, there’s nothing better than a derby, a Champions (League) quarter-final derby. We need to be as calm as possible. Inter are a solid team and can do well if they manage to stay calm.”
Mancini will be without the services of forwards Adriano and Alvaro Recoba because of injuries. Obafemi Martins and Christian Vieri are likely to start up front, with Julio Cruz having to settle for a place on the bench.
Inter captain Javier Zanetti is aware that the Rossoneri go into the game as favourites but insists they will set their stall out to cause them problems.
“To play such an important match means so much to all of us,” he said. “We know the importance of this match and what it means for us, the club and the fans. We want to continue our path in the Champions League and we should consider ourselves fortunate to play a match of this kind.
“They are certainly favourites because they won the championship last year and the Champions League two years ago. But we will play this match on equal terms and we will try to create problems for a team with many champions like Milan.”
Ancelotti has the luxury of having his top striker available, with Andriy Shevchenko fit again following a long-lay off with a facial injury.
The Ukrainian has not featured since fracturing his cheekbone against Cagliari in February.
The European Footballer of the Year is champing at the bit to play in another Milan derby, especially after all the Serie A fixtures were called off at the weekend because of the death of Pope John Paul II.
“Everything is different in a derby, the tension, the emotion, the support of the fans, who put on a real show. It is a special game,” Shevchenko said.
“For Italian football the more teams that go through to the final stages, the better it is. A demonstration of strength.”
Having enjoyed plenty of success against Inter in his five-and-a-half years with the club, the Ukrainian remembers the 2003 triumph above all others. “It was a very tense two-legged tie,” he added.
“I scored the goal, but the attitude of the whole team decided the outcome. It was an incredible joy for the fans and me. We wanted to celebrate with them, freeing our emotion and tiredness by running towards them.”
Filippo Inzaghi should prove his fitness after a knee injury but Alessandro Nesta is a doubt with a foot injury.
: Dida, Cafu, Maldini, Nesta, Stam, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Kaka, Crespo, Shevchenko, Inzaghi.
: Toldo, Javier Zanetti, Cordoba, Materazzi, Mihajlovic, Favalli, Veron, Cristiano Zanetti, Cambiasso, Stankovic, Cruz, Martins, Adriano, Vieri.
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