Inter Milan is currently 6th on the Serie A table, and Champions League football might elude them next season, only if they win this season’s edition, having qualified for the last eight.
Juventus, on their part, also have a chance of winning the Europa League after reaching the semifinals.
Thus, both teams can eye one final in their domain before the European adventure.
Both will be going into this clash on the back of a 1-1 draw with its drama at Turin fortnight. They will therefore reconvene at San Siro today to decide who will reach the Coppa Italia final.
This is also the fourth and final Derby d’Italia of the season.
Out-of-form striker Romelu Lukaku who secured the equalizer for Inter during the first leg, is expected to lead the line after his red card was rescinded in a match where he, alongside Juan Cuadrado and Inter captain Samir Handanovic was all dismissed in the aftermath.
With the way the match ended in Turin, much bad blood will surely linger ahead of Wednesday’s return at San Siro.
Inter manager is under intense pressure due to unfavorable results in their past seven Serie A games, where they have won just one.
The only way he can secure his future is at least with silverware or some from such a sub-par campaign.
The Coppa Italia is, therefore, a huge opportunity for him, with Europe’s top prize still a tall order considering the caliber of opponents who will await in the final.
Having sealed a Serie A double over Inter before the draw in their last meeting, Juve would be going into the game with a high level of confidence as it coincided with the period their 15 points deduction was returned on appeal.
They will want to nip this one with a return to next month’s final, where either Fiorentina or Cremonese will be waiting.
Having sent Monza and Lazio packing in previous rounds of the competition, Juventus seek to extend a record haul of 14 national cups to Inter’s eight.
Although they might stumble to a late goal against Serie A leaders Napoli, the Bianconeri seem more informed than their hosts, and Allegri has a track record of getting the job done.
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