Milan vs. Inter in the Coppa Italia – Two Clubs, one derby, but no favourites

Decision postponed! For the fourth time on April 2, 2025, at San Siro, AC and Inter Milan faced each other in a competitive match this season. Coppa Italia semi-final, first leg – and after a 1-1 draw (0-0), everything is open for the second leg. 

Before the all-important semi-final second leg on April 23, 2025, Inter, despite a strong performance, was unable to erase the recent rather mediocre performances in the "Derby della Madonnina," as the Milan duel is also known.

On Epiphany, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, they lost the Supercoppa Italiana final 2-3 after leading 2-0. 

The two encounters in the Serie A 2024/2025 season ended 1-2 (event-breaks.com reported) from Inter Milan's perspective and 1-1. 

Inter winless in four games against Milan 

Although there is a 20-point gap between Serie A leaders Inter and AC Milan in ninth place, the "Nerazzurri," nominally the away team, also failed to win the fourth derby of the season.

If they want to claim their 10th Coppa Italia title and surpass AS Roma (also nine titles), they must win their last match of the season against their city and arch-rivals. 

“It was a game that restored the long-lost soul to the Devils (One of AC Milan's nicknames, ed.),” wrote Italy’s football bible Gazzetta dello Sport – and rightly so. 

It was end-to-end action. That’s precisely why the Derby della Madonnina is one of the absolute highlights of football trips to Italy. 

At Inter, Austrian record international Marko “Arnie” Arnautovic remained on the bench. 

Familiar face from the Bundesliga: Long-range shots, Calhanoglu style 

There was plenty of Bundesliga prominence even without Arnautovic’s involvement. Inter’s German-Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu forced Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan (41st minute) into a brilliant save with a free-kick rocket from more than 25 meters. "When it comes to shooting technique, there's definitely something to learn," said DAZN Italy expert Christian Bernhard from South Tyrol regarding the scene. 

French international Maignan saved a seven-meter header from Davide Frattesi in the 45th minute. The assist came from former Gladbach player Marcus Thuram. 

Englishman Tammy Abraham, already Milan’s best player in the fast-paced first half, put the hosts ahead 1-0 in the 47th minute, finishing into the far corner after a well-worked move. 

That passionate celebration by Abraham and over 30,000 red-and-black fans among the 65,000 spectators in Milan's football opera house shows just how much this match means to both clubs and their supporters. 

Coppa Italia semi-final: Who would be Milan or Inter’s final opponent?

Also absolutely worth seeing: The 1-1 equalizer by former HSV and Leverkusen player Calhanoglu (67th minute). He scored effortlessly, like a Tipp-Kick player, from more than 16 meters after a pass from Joaquin Correa. A ball struck as if guided by a string! 

In the first semi-final (April 1, 2025), Bologna emerged as the clear winner after a 3-0 victory at Empoli in the first leg. Bologna last won the Italian Cup 51 years ago, in 1974…

When is the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg between Inter and AC Milan?

The second leg will take place on April 23, 2025 (9:00 PM) at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. On paper, Inter will be the home team against AC Milan. 

When is the Coppa Italia final? 

The Italian Cup final will take place on May 14, 2025, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, where it has been held since 2020, with one exception (Reggio Emilia, the COVID year 2021). In the last three years, Inter Milan has won twice (2022, 2023).