AC Milan and Inter put their Serie A title race aside as they faced off in the semi-final first leg of the Coppa Italia. Both sides had lost valuable ground in the league title race recently, Milan were coming off two consecutive draws against Salernitana and Udinese, while Inter were yet to pick up a win since their draw to Napoli in February.
This tactical analysis will explain the tactics behind the 0-0 draw in the Milan derby
Starting lineups
Stefano Pioli stuck with the 4-2-3-1 he has preferred this season. Mike Maignan started in goal. Theo Hernandez and Alessandro Florenzi flanked Alessio Romagnoli and Fikayo Tomori in defence. Ismael Bennacer and Franck Kessie started as a midfield double pivot. Rafael Leao, Rade Krunic, and Alexis Saelamaekers rounded out the front four with Olivier Giroud up top.
Inzaghi went with the XI he has preferred in big games this season. Veteran goalkeeper Samir Handanovic captained the side. Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij, and Alessandro Bastoni played as a back three, with Ivan Perisic and Denzel Dumfries at wing-back. Marcelo Brozovic anchored the midfield three alongside Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu, while Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez played as a strike partnership.
