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UEFA Champions League semi-finals: What to look out for on Wednesday

Local rivals Milan and Inter face off in the first leg of the second UEFA Champions League semi-final at their shared San Siro home.

Inter's Lautaro Martínez and Ismaël Bennacer of Milan
Inter's Lautaro Martínez and Ismaël Bennacer of Milan

We are down to the final four in the UEFA Champions League and have another mouth-watering ties ahead of us, with a place at the final in Istanbul on 10 June at stake.

Presented by Turkish Airlines, we pick out some of the key storylines ahead of the first leg of the second semi-final tie on 10 May.

Milan derby awaits

Almost exactly 20 years since they last met at the Champions League semi-finals, city rivals Milan and Inter are ready to lock horns once more in what is sure to be a fascinating match-up. The Stadio San Siro will play host to both legs of the last-four tie, and with Milan and Inter also closely matched in Serie A, this one is almost too close to call.

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi is certainly well aware of the significance of the opponents, saying: "We know what this derby represents for everyone here and we will play it in the best way." Whoever comes out on top, it promises to be an unforgettable occasion.

Watch Milan vs Inter 2003 highlights

Leão out for Milan

With Italian sides generally best-known for their stern defences, some magic up front could make all the difference even if Milan have been dealt a blow with Rafael Leão having been ruled out for the first leg with a thigh injury. Their 36-year-old target man Olivier Giroud will continue to cause plenty of problems, but Inter will be relieved at not having to face the Portuguese forward, who has supplied four assists in ten Champions League games this season.

Inter's Lautaro Martínez, meanwhile, was a big influence for the Nerazzurri in their 3-3 second leg draw with Benfica in the quarter-finals. He scored one goal and created another, and the Argentinian looks to be reaching his very best form as we enter the crunch stage of the campaign.

Where is the 2023 Champions League final?

The 2022/23 Champions League season will conclude at Istanbul's Atatürk Olympic Stadium on Saturday 10 June 2023.

Built to support Türkiye's bid to stage the 2008 Olympic Games, the venue opened in 2002 and is home to the Turkish national team. Situated in the Başakşehir area of the city, west of the Bosphorus, it boasts a seated capacity of over 75,000.