Legendary former Nerazzurri goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca feels that Inter Milan are the favourites to get to the Champions League final.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Radio Anch’Io Lo Sport, via FCInter1908, the ex-Inter, Bologna, and Sampdoria keeper expressed the view that the Nerazzurri should be seen as favourites ahead of AC Milan in the semifinal.
Inter have the advantage in their Champions League semifinal tie against Milan. The 2-0 win over the Rossoneri in the first leg is enough to give the Nerazzurri something tangible to hold onto.
However, even a one-goal loss would still see Inter book their place in the final of Europe’s top club competition. Of course, Milan will throw absolutely everything at Inter to keep that from happening.
Therefore, having Portuguese megastar Rafael Leao available could be just the boost the Rossoneri need in this respect. Leao injured himself against Lazio in the Serie A and missed the first leg at the San Siro.
Nevertheless, Inter already showed their superiority to their derby rivals less than a week ago. The Nerazzurri could feel that, if they play the way they did particularly in the first leg of the derby semifinal tie, then everything is in their hands.
Gianluca Pagliuca: Inter Milan Can Reach UCL Semifinal
For his part, Pagliuca backs his former team the Nerazzurri.
“Inter start as favourite with a 2-0 advantage,” he said.
“Although I don’t think Milan are beaten. I’m convinced that Inter have a great chance, and I hope they reach the final, but the Rossoneri will throw everything at them.”
Asked to choose between Inter keeper Andre Onana and his Milan counterpart Mike Maignan, Pagliuca said that “They’re both top keepers.
“But for now I’m on the side of Maignan. Even though Onana is having a great campaign in his first Serie A season. I didn’t think he would emerge so quickly, I though Handanovic would keep him out for a bit.
“But right now, Maignan is one of the three best keepers in the world,” Pagliuca argued.
Asked if he’s go with Romelu Lukaku or Edin Dzeko in attack, Pagliuca replied “Lukaku is fully fit. He’s getting back to being the decisive player he had been.”
“I would be more afraid of facing Lukaku-Lautaro than Dzeko-Lautaro. They dovetail well, they’ve won the Serie A title already. And this season they’re getting back to their best at the key moment,” he concluded.
Gialuca Pagliuca joined Inter in the summer of 1994. He spent five seasons at the club where he featured 234 times. Pagliuca only won one trophy with Inter, the 1998 UEFA Cup.
