MILAN – A place in the Champions League final in Istanbul is at stake for cross-city rivals AC Milan and Inter as the first leg of the semi-final kicks off on Wednesday evening at the San Siro stadium. 

 The highly anticipated match will kick off at 9 p.m. Wednesday evening and Inter are currently the firm favourites to win. However, Stefano Pioli’s AC Milan have history on their side. 

 Wednesday’s semi-final is the fifth Euroderby between the two Milanese teams and as it stands, AC Milan are unbeaten. Furthermore, Inter have scored just one goal in the previous four derbies. 

 On Tuesday evening, Inter coach, Simone Inzaghi, responded to the news that his team were the firm favourites. 

 “Inter favourites? Matches are all stories in themselves, especially derbies. We're not hiding, we know the importance of this match and we want to play it at our best knowing that it would be a big step that must be taken with great determination and aggressiveness.”

 "There will be times when we will be more offensive and others when we will be more defensive," he added. "We will have to play a game of great sacrifice, making a run for our team-mates will be fundamental.”

 Pioli’s confidence in his team shone through clearly in the statement he released on Tuesday evening. 

 “We think we can eliminate anyone. We did it with Tottenham and Napoli. In the Champions League we didn't have an up and down path, but we did something exceptional. It has never happened to us to play a Champions League final, the motivation is at its highest. I tried to convey to the team the happiness of living these moments: it will be a game that will be played over 180 minutes."

cw