After an eventful few weeks since their first-leg clash in Turin, fierce foes Inter Milan and Juventus reconvene at San Siro on Wednesday, to decide who will reach the Coppa Italia final.
Inter have made the Champions League semi-finals and Juve have seen their Serie A points deduction overturned since the clubs' controversial 1-1 draw earlier this month, and they now lock horns in the fourth and final Derby d'Italia of the season.
Match preview
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Following a tense but tame first 80 minutes in the opening leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final, Inter fell behind to a classic Juventus counter-strike at the Allianz Stadium, before a remarkable conclusion to events then left an ugly scar on a much-anticipated tie.
The Nerazzurri were almost literally handed the chance to equalise from the spot during the dying moments, when Juve's Bremer - who turned down Inter last summer, in favour of a move across Turin - clumsily conceded a penalty. Out-of-form striker Romelu Lukaku then stepped up and duly found the bottom corner.
Both the Belgian and Juan Cuadrado - along with Inter captain Samir Handanovic - were all dismissed in the aftermath, though Lukaku's second booking for celebrating in front of fans that had been racially abusing him was finally rescinded by the FIGC (Italian Football Federation) just a few days ago.
Much bad blood will surely linger, then, ahead of Wednesday's return at San Siro, where Simone Inzaghi's side secured a place in the Champions League's final four last week, at the expense of Primeira Liga leaders Benfica - setting up a seismic semi against city rivals Milan.
They then ended a five-game winless streak in Serie A at the weekend - part of a run of five league defeats from seven - by seeing off Empoli with help from two goals and an assist from a resurgent Lukaku.
However, Inter's path back into the Champions League via finishing in Italy's top four has been complicated by a combination of their own fallible form and the sudden re-emergence of Juventus as contenders - they now sit sixth with seven games left to play.
With his job under threat, Inzaghi surely has to salvage some silverware from such a sub-par campaign, and with Europe's top prize still a tall order considering the calibre of opponents who will await in the final, reaching the Coppa's showpiece would buy him some breathing space in that regard.
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Juventus may have been denied victory in the home leg, but three weeks earlier they had sealed a Serie A double over Inter at San Siro: after winning in Turin last autumn, a stunning finish from Filip Kostic split the sides in Milan.
As the Nerazzurri were their conquerors in last year's Coppa Italia decider, Juve would take great delight in recording a third victory of the season over their old rivals and setting up a return to next month's final, where either Fiorentina or Cremonese will provide the opposition.
Max Allegri's men have eliminated Monza and Lazio in previous rounds of this term's competition, and they are now seeking to extend a record haul of 14 national cups - Inter have lifted the Coppa eight times before.
Even in the club's colourful history, the past week has proven quite eventful for the Old Lady, as after a Serie A points deduction was overturned on appeal - propelling them from seventh to third in the standings overnight - progress to the Europa League semi-finals was then sealed by edging out Portuguese champions Sporting.
Finally, the Bianconeri seemed to be on course for a trademark 1-0 win over a Napoli side suddenly stumbling towards the Scudetto, but Angel Di Maria and Dusan Vlahovic both had late 'goals' ruled out on Sunday evening, and Giacomo Raspadori rattled in a late winner for the elated Partenopei.
Recording a third straight league loss for the first time since 2011 may leave Juventus uncertain of claiming a top-four finish, but they remain trophy contenders in both Europe and the Coppa Italia - and Allegri has a track record of getting the job done.
Team News
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While Romelu Lukaku will be able to build on a brilliant second half against Empoli, thanks to his second yellow card in Turin being cancelled out, Inter are unable to call upon Samir Handanovic this week due to his suspension.
First-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana will therefore provide the hosts' last line of defence, as Lukaku battles it out with Edin Dzeko to join Lautaro Martinez up front.
Simone Inzaghi freshened up his side at the weekend, but Nicolo Barella, Federico Dimarco and Alessandro Bastoni should all return from the start. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is back in action too; only PSG-bound defender Milan Skriniar is certainly sidelined by injury.
Juventus, meanwhile, will see Moise Kean and Dusan Vlahovic joining the suspended Juan Cuadrado in missing out at San Siro.
Max Allegri left himself the luxury of a star-studded bench at the weekend, but Federico Chiesa and Angel Di Maria could now be promoted to the visitors' lineup, with maverick midfielder Paul Pogba a less likely selection.
As Juve's cup keeper, Mattia Perin replaces Wojciech Szczesny again, having deputised for the Poland international during his recent absence due to a heart scare.
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Lukaku
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Perin; Bremer, Bonucci, Danilo; De Sciglio, Miretti, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Di Maria; Milik
We say: Inter Milan 2-1 Juventus (Inter win 3-2 on aggregate)
As knockout kings - Inter lifted last year's Coppa Italia and are into the semis of both cup competitions this season - it is the home side who should scrape through to the final. The Nerazzurri have thrived on the big stage despite slipping up several times in Serie A; Juve's limitations have been exposed while winning just one of their last five matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
