How Inter and Milan could line-up in the Italian Cup

4:51pm on Monday 25th January 2021
By Martin Macdonald

Milan will be without influential goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for this midweek's Coppa Italia quarter-final Derby della Madonnina clash against Inter.

In their last match in the competition which was a last-16 fixture against Torino, they progressed after winning 5-4 on penalties after both teams played out a 0-0 stalemate in normal time.

During the game, however, Donnarumma was given a red card despite not even being on the pitch. Whilst as a sub, he was dismissed for giving referee Paolo Valeri some harsh words after the official failed to give Milan a decision.

Ciprian Tatarusanu played in that one, and will be called upon to do so again.

Milan are coming off one of their worst results of the season as on Saturday they were embarrassed 3-0 at home by Atalanta, which may lead to head coach Stefano Pioli making one or two changes.

Soualiho Meite made his starting debut for the Rossoneri, but failed to impress and will likely drop to the bench, with Brahim Diaz coming in as his replacement.

Jens Petter Hauge could be awarded a start, too, potentially at the expense of Rafael Leao.

They will also be boosted by the return from suspension of Alessio Romagnoli and Alexis Saelemaekers, with the former likely to come straight back in to the starting XI.

Hakan Calhanoglu misses out due to covid isolation, while Ismael Bennacer has a thigh injury.

Inter don't have too many injuries to contend with, with Danilo D'Ambrosio the only senior player currently confirmed as being absent.

Antonio Conte will probably make a few alterations to his starting line-up, though, with Romelu Lukaku perhaps given a rest for Alexis Sanchez.

Arturo Vidal and Ashley Young might drop out for Stefano Sensi and Ivan Perisic, too.