Italian journalist Luigi Garlando believes that the outcome of Inter and AC Milan’s Coppa Italia clash this evening will have an effect on the direction of the Serie A title race.

Writing in his column in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Garlando suggested that despite the denials of coaches Simone Inzaghi and Stefano Pioli, this evening’s match will be vital in Serie A as well.

Inter face their city rivals in the decisive second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final right at the moment when their Serie A title race with the Rossoneri looks to be tighter than it’s ever been.

The Nerazzurri are two points behind the Rossoneri in the table, but have a crucial game in hand which if they win it they will take top spot, whilst the Rossoneri have the advantage of head-to-head should the teams finish level on points.

Neither team have any margin for error in the title race, and the Scudetto is likely to be decided in a run-in which will go right down to the wire.

Confidence could be a key factor for both teams, and for this reason Garlando feels that the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg and the league are closely linked in outcome.

“The two coaches have ruled out any ramifications for the semi-final on the league title race,” Garlando writes. “They put their hands up.”

“The opposite is true,” he argued. “The derby always unleashes an emotional tsunami.”