It is time for the second legs of the two Coppa Italia semi-final contests. Both ties are in the balance and with a spot in the final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on the line they should be fascinating matches.
Here is a look at the betting with BetXchange for both games.
Internazionale VS Milan – San Siro, Milan (Agg 0-0)
The first Semifinal on Tuesday is the latest edition of the Milan derby and with the first leg finishing 0-0 it is definitely all to play for as the two sides once again take to the pitch at the San Siro.
The first game was a little drab if we are being honest, basically an example of why two-legged ties in domestic cup competitions are a dying format. There were just five shots on target total between the two Milan heavyweights, with neither really creating any outstanding chances.
Milan will be without talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and there are also issues in defense. This is a problem as Milan has relied on their defensive strength to win games this term. RIght back Davide Calabria is still nursing a fever, while Alessio Romagnoli and Simon Kjaer at center back are also doubts.
Inter are technically the home side here in a competition that still uses the away goals rule. They were weirdly passive in the first leg, so expect more from them here. It is worth noting that the first leg was over a month ago – a time when Inter were out of form – but they are back to something like their best now. I like Inter to win this one and land a blow to the Milan psyche with both also still chasing the Series A title.
Juventus VS Fiorentina – Juventus Stadium, Turin (Agg (1-0)
Juventus have the advantage in this tie after winning 1-0 in Florence in the first leg. It is a slim lead – one that could disappear quickly – but the away goals rule means that the Old Lady will be in a confident position if they score first in this tie.
There is, however, plenty of pressure on Juve in this tie. They have had a terrible April so far, with a couple of slip-ups in Series A seeing them fade from the title picture before they were unceremoniously dumped out of the Champions League by Villarreal. This is their last real shot at a trophy and to avoid their first campaign without silverware in over a decade. This is after lifting the trophy last year with a win over Atlanta.
It is hard to believe that Fiorentina is coming into this match behind on aggregate. They outshot Juve 22 to six in the first leg and their progress under young manager Vincenzo Italiano this term had been remarkable. They haven’t lost since the first leg of this tie and are up to sixth in the league playing their brand of refreshing, front-foot football.
It would be wonderful to see Fiorentina go through here as they really are a breath of fresh air in the sometimes sterile world of Italian football. I don’t think they will quite do enough overall, though I do like them to do enough to draw on the night at 5/2 with BetXchange.
