Inter’s Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against AC Milan will not have any direct bearing on the Serie A title race, but its outcome is still likely to be psychologically impactful.
This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who note that the result will likely have mental fallout for both teams as they search for one final push of momentum in the run-in.
Inter’s Serie A title pursuit is finely balanced with that of their city rivals, with the Nerazzurri having the slight advantage of being a point ahead should they win their game in hand but both teams having everything to play for.
In the Coppa Italia, it is arguably the Rossoneri who have the slight advantage for progressing to the final, given that they play “away” at the San Siro for the second leg and so could conceivably go straight through with a draw after the goalless first leg.
A win would provide confirmation and confidence for either of the city rivals which would be crucial to taking the right approach into their remaining league matches of the campaign.
Elimination, on the other hand, could leave either Inter or Milan in a state of doubt and frustration which would be exactly the mindset that they don’t want to take into the run-in of their season.
