AC Milan forward Rafael Leao is hoping that the Rossoneri can end up facing Inter in a Milan Derby semifinal tie in the Champions League.
Speaking to US news outlet CBS Sports after his team booked their place in the final four of the Champions League with a 1-1 draw against Napoli, via FCInterNews, the Portuguese international talked about what the atmosphere would be like if the two city rivals were to face in Europe.
Whilst Inter and Milan avoided each other in the Champions League quarterfinals, the draw is such that they can very well meet in the semifinals if they both make it that far.
The Rossoneri have done their bit to make it happen by overcoming Napoli 2-1 on aggregate in their quarterfinal tie.
Leao played a hugely important role, with the former Lille star’s brilliant run setting up Olivier Giroud’s opening goal in the second leg yesterday evening.
Now, he is hoping that this could allow he and his teammates to have two more cracks at Inter for a place in European club football’s biggest match, having won one and lost two of the derbies already played this season.
Inter have a 2-0 advantage over Benfica heading into this evening’s second leg of their own quarterfinal tie.
This will hardly mean that the Nerazzurri are taking anything for granted, but they will have something to protect and take confidence, coupled with the knowledge that if they do get it over the line they can set up one of Italian football’s great showpiece fixtures on the biggest of stages.
“It would be great to play against Inter in the semifinal,” Leao said.
“We’ve played a good match against them already,” he added.
“The passion that both teams can put on the pitch would be equal, and the atmosphere in Milan would be incredible.”