Separated by just two points in the Serie A standings, Inter Milan and title rivals AC Milan meet at San Siro on Tuesday, as they contest the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final.
After the teams' first encounter ended goalless last month, the 27th Derby della Madonnina in Coppa history will decide which Milanese giant meets either Fiorentina or Juventus in the final.
Teams News:
After scoring as a second-half substitute on Friday, the return of Lautaro Martinez to the Inter starting XI could be the only change coach Simone Inzaghi makes for the Derby. The Argentina international is set to replace compatriot Joaquin Correa up front and will most likely reprise his partnership with veteran striker Edin Dzeko.
Another former regular, Dutch defender Stefan de Vrij, is also a candidate to be drafted into the side, with the place of Danilo D'Ambrosio being in jeopardy as a result. Meanwhile, fellow centre-back Alessandro Bastoni should be fit to feature despite being withdrawn early against Spezia.
Meanwhile, Stefano Pioli has a number of selection issues to resolve ahead of this latest encounter with his former club, as in addition to experienced campaigners Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Simon Kjaer and Alessio Romagnoli - all of whom are sidelined - Davide Calabria has yet to return to full training since pulling out pre-kickoff on Friday.
The full-back was unable to take his place in the Milan defence against Genoa due to illness, and as his deputy Alessandro Florenzi remains out of action, Pierre Kalulu may once again have to switch across from the centre; disrupting his promising partnership with Fikayo Tomori. In that instance, Matteo Gabbia would also start.
Still the Coppa Italia's joint-top scorer this season (with three goals) despite drawing a blank in the first leg, Olivier Giroud should lead the line in Ibrahimovic's ongoing absence.
Ante Rebic and Junior Messias are pushing for places in the French forward's supporting cast, while Sandro Tonali can feature in midfield after missing last month's match through suspension.
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Handanovic; De Vrij, Skriniar, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic; Martinez, Dzeko
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Messias, Kessie, Leao; Giroud
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