Redemption beckons for Milan derby winners

Inter Milan host city rivals AC Milan on Tuesday in a Champions League semi-final second-leg match which provides both sides with the opportunity to atone for a disappointing season by reaching the final of Europe‘s premier club competition.

Juventus claimed a second successive Scudetto at the weekend meaning it is now four years since either of the twin giants of the San Siro could claim to be champions of Italy.

Inter have not won the league since 1989 while Milan’s last triumph came 10 years later.

The 0-0 draw in last Wednesday’s first-leg has given a slight advantage to the Rossoneri.

Although the San Siro is the home ground for both clubs, Inter will be technically the home side on Tuesday and thus any goal that AC Milan can score will be an away goal, ensuring they would go through in the event of a draw.

The Rossoneri are also considered favourites as in their past three encounters against Inter this season they have not conceded a goal.

“It is going to be the same tension, the same worry but we will have the right conviction as in our last encounter,” AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said at today‘s press conference. “The only difference is that tomorrow everything will be decided.”

Inter coach Hector Cuper agrees with his counterpart‘s assessment but he is convinced his team will reach the final.

“This is the most important match of my career,” said Cuper who has had to contend with speculation that Lazio‘s Roberto Mancini has been lined up to replace him.

“I am still convinced that we can reach the final,” said the Argentinian. “I think Inter deserve to get there.”

Cuper is looking to reach his third Champions League final after two losing appearances with his former club Valencia and he is also under pressure as for the second consecutive season Inter have been beaten to the Scudetto by Juventus.

The Argentinian has resisted the temptation to risk playing Serie A‘s leading goalscorer Christian Vieri.

Vieri, with 24 league goals this season, has been suffering with a knee ligament injury and his absence is a relief for Ancelotti.

“It is better for us that Vieri does not play but if he comes out we know how to stop him,” said Ancelotti, who won two Champions Leagues as a player with AC Milan but still has not tasted success as a coach.

Milan captain Paolo Maldini will play his 45th “derby della Madonnina” as the match is known in Milan because of the golden statue of the Virgin Mary on top of the city‘s Gothic cathedral.

That will see him overtake the record set by former Inter Milan defender Giuseppe Bergomi.

“I cannot ask for more at this point of my career,” said Maldini, a veteran of three Champions League winning teams. “I felt emotional last Wednesday and I am sure I will feel the same emotions on Tuesday.”