“Milan and Inter clash in Champions League: Lineups, Official XIs, and Latest Team Updates”

Italian football fans will have something extra to celebrate this week as Milan and Inter meet in the UEFA Champions League semi-final – guaranteeing an Italian team in the final. The two clubs, both based at San Siro, face each other in the opening leg on Wednesday before meeting again on May 18. This will be their first meeting in the competition since the 2004 quarter-finals.

Milan, coached by Stefano Pioli, will be without Rafael Leao through injury, but Olivier Giroud, Theo Hernandez and Sandro Tonali will all start after missing their previous game. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is unregistered in European competition while Tommaso Pobega is another injury absence. Alexis Saelemaekers will replace Leao.

Simone Inzaghi’s Inter, who knocked out Benfica to get here, rested Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan for their last game against Roma but they will all return for this match. Milan Skriniar and Robin Gosens are both out injured, but Danilo D’Ambrosio is expected to boost Inzaghi’s squad depth.

The absence of Leao is a significant loss for Milan given the Portuguese star’s importance in their victory over Serie A winners Napoli in the quarter-finals. All attacking hopes will now rest on Olivier Giroud, who often fares better with Leao alongside him.

Milan‘s chances in this high-stakes match may have taken a hit, but the need for a solid defensive display in the opening leg has become even more important. Both teams will be looking to secure an advantage to take into the second leg, knowing they are just 90 minutes away from a historic appearance in the final.

As the two Milanese giants face off, football fans around the world will be excited to see who comes out on top. With both teams well-matched and determined to secure a place in the final, this promises to be a thrilling game of football.

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