AC Milan and Inter will meet in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday. The last time the local opponents met in the Champions League was 18 years ago.
Spring 2005. AC Milan and Inter met in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, which has gone down in history. The scene with Inter’s hard-nosed defender is especially memorable Marco Materazzi holding hands with AC Milan’s skilled striker Rui Costa on the shoulder. Both are looking at a sea of fire and smoke.
Owner Silvio Berlusconi under the leadership, AC Milan had a real star-studded team. Among others, they played in the team Paolo Maldini, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Hernan Crespo and Poop.
AC Milan and Juventus had won 11 of the previous 13 Serie A titles. Inter fans were not happy with the situation. When the match was played in 2005, criminal investigations into bribery and corruption had already begun in Naples and Turin. In 2006, they led to a wide-ranging scandal in which Juventus was relegated to Serie B and AC Milan also lost points.
The first part of the quarterfinals of the Champions League had ended with AC Milan winning 2–0. It led 1–0 in the second half, and the match had already seen events that increased tensions.
However, the last straw for Inter supporters was the situation in the 73rd minute. Inter looked set to score a goal that was disallowed for what appeared to be light contact. After that, flares and other objects started flying onto the field. AC Milan goalkeeper Dida suffered burns when the torch hit his shoulder.
The players gathered in the middle of the field. The match was stopped in the 73rd minute and AC Milan was later declared the winner.
– The atmosphere that night was the same as always when AC Milan and Inter meet at San Siro. It’s strong. When you set foot on the field, you feel that it’s not just a football match. It’s something more, said the photographer who took the picture of Materazzi and Costa Stefano Rellandini for the BBC.
– The disallowed goal completely changed the situation. Inter’s supporters were enraged. They started throwing flares and didn’t stop for 15 or 20 minutes. It was like war. The field was completely covered in smoke, you couldn’t see anything there.
The Champions League is a big opportunity for both
Since that match, the Milanese clubs have not met in the Champions League. AC Milan eventually progressed to the final, which they lost to Liverpool despite leading 3–0.
Neither Milan team has reached the Champions League final since 2010. This year, either of them will qualify because the teams will meet in the semifinals. The first leg will be played on Wednesday.
There is reason to expect excitement from the match again. In the Italian Serie A, the teams are fighting behind the superior Napoli for other places. With four rounds to go, Inter is fourth and Milan is fifth. The Champions League is a chance for both to win something big this season.
This season AC Milan won the first 3–2, but Inter won the Super Cup 3–0 and the second league game 1–0.
Inter will come to the derby in a good mood. It has won its last four league games with a goal difference of 14–1. AC Milan has had a bit more trouble in Serie A lately. On the other hand, it knocked Napoli out of the Champions League.
Inter Lautaro Martinez has scored seven goals in Milan derbies over the years. You can start as a second attacker Romelu Lukaku or Edin Dzeko.
AC Milan Rafael Leaon playing is only decided at the last moment. Leao played a big role in Napoli’s elimination, but suffered a muscle injury on Saturday in the Lazio match.