Media stirred by San Siro summit

High stakes
To the winners of tonight's San Siro semi-final second leg, a trip to Old Trafford later this month. To the losers, misery and more. The big three football dailies, the Corriere dello Sport, Gazzetta dello Sport and Tuttosport, agree that heads could roll.

‘Final showdown’
Under its front page headline "Cúper, Ancelotti, the final showdown", the Corriere bills the game as a "cruel duel" between rival coaches H éctor Cúper of Inter and Milan's Carlo Ancelotti. "It is not just the final which is at stake - the cost of defeat will be a place on the bench." The subtext is that neither coach can afford to lose. Milan need a return on their spending; Inter still have not won anything for five years.

Historic match
"How often has the word historic been wrongly used to describe a football match? This time there can be no mistake," it says. "Because of that end of this fascinating but terrible conflict, so full of hopes and fears, something will change at the heart of two great clubs. Neither can risk defeat."

Crespo could be key
This will be Cúper's 100th match in charge of the Nerazzurri and as such, the Gazzetta writes, a perfect moment for his Argentinian countryman Hernán Crespo to return to goalscoring form. "Crespo has fixed his sights on the derby," it says, as the centre-forward seeks his first Champions League goal of 2003.

Inzaghi determined
Meanwhile, Filippo Inzaghi's eyes are on a first European trophy. The Milan striker has scored 55 times in UEFA club competition for no tangible reward. "Inzaghi never so determined: the goal machine still hasn't won a cup," notes the Gazzetta.

Men they love to hate
Tuttosport informs readers of the two clubs' preparations for tonight's games, with a detailed report on yesterday's goings-on at their respective training bases of Appiano Gentile (Inter) and Carnago (Milan). Cúper, we are told, was the earliest riser at 9am, while Milan's star players got an extra hour in bed. The paper also rates Milan's Gennaro Gattuso as the man the Inter fans love to hate, while Inter's Marco Materazzi is unlikely to win a popularity contest among the Rossoneri support.

Milestone appearance
Paolo Maldini, however, is and tonight the Milan captain - or "recordman" - will beat Giuseppe Bergomi's of 45 derby appearances. There will be a milestone appearance from Inter skipper Javier Zanetti too, the Gazzetta continues, as he plays his 51st consecutive match of the season.

Serginho to play
Aside from the absence of Inter striker Christian Vieri and Milan goalkeeper Dida, the Corriere predicts that both teams will be at full strength, although it does make one surprise selection with Serginho taking Clarence Seedorf's place on the left side of Milan's midfield. Inter's Francesco Coco should shake off a knock to play.

‘Result is what matters’
What is certain is that tonight's game will end in tears for one side at least. Yet, Italian football fans should be laughing according to the Gazzetta: "Now we are at the climax of a great season in Europe, we should not take offence if other countries, particularly Spain and England, accuse us of catenaccio. They call us defensive because we have a rational approach to the game. But for us, football is a serious thing. For us, the big thing is not the performance but the result. It is the end that matters, not the means."