Milan’s first derby match will not be rich in goals

Exactly 20 years ago, in the 2002/2003 Champions League, Inter and Milan met for the first time at the same stage of Europe's elite competition. The away goal rule then saw the rossoneri qualify for the final, where they beat another Italian club, Juventus, on penalties. One season later, Milan qualified for the Champions League play-offs again, doing so at the quarter-final stage. Inter Milan have yet to win a derby in Europe's elite cup, but they are the last Italian club to win the Champions League. The opponents made their way to the upcoming game without meeting any of the current favourites. Milan got past Tottenham by a single goal in two games in the 1/8 finals, and in the tricky quarter-finals, Italy's new champions Napoli were swept aside with a 2-1 aggregate scoreline. Inter defeated Porto and Benfica in the earlier stages of the playoffs before drawing the return fixtures. Before the first leg at the San Siro stadium, which is the home ground for both Milan clubs, bookmakers have identified the nominal visitors as the favourites, with odds of 2.46 on the Nerazzurri. Milan are also in direct competition in Serie A. Milan currently sit in fifth place, two points behind both their upcoming Champions League rival and the top four. The Rossoneri were undefeated in April and early May. In nine official meetings in a month and a half, they have beaten Napoli twice, taken points from Roma and last Saturday they beat Lazio at home. Inter last lost in mid-April, having a shorter unbeaten streak. However, Inzaghi's team are approaching the upcoming meeting in fine form. Inter have won their last five games in a row. Defeated opponents have included Juventus, Roma and Lazio, while Verona have scored six unanswered goals against the Nerazzurri. The Milan derby has taken place twice this year. Both the Italian Super Cup and Serie A have been won by Inter. Nevertheless, the value of the upcoming match is so high that the opponents, who know each other so well, will be extremely cautious and, as a result, low-scoring.