Milan braces for epic showdown

After AC Milan and Inter Milan set up the first Derby Della Madonnina in the Champions League in 18 years, tech giants Amazon were forced to make an unusual concession due to 'national interests' and hand over the two legs to free-to-air television, so all of Italy could watch regardless of subscriptions and package deals.

While southern Italy basks in the glory of Napoli lifting their first Serie A title since a Diego Maradona-inspired 1989-90 season, the attention quickly shifts to the city of Milan.

The city's two major football forces boast one of the most unique achievements in European football. To date, Milan remains the only city that has produced two outfits to have won the Champions League. More than that, the two teams have combined to lift Europe's greatest prize 10 times.

Yet, the general consensus remains that one team has almost always been better than the other. After all, AC Milan have won the Champions League seven times. On the past two occasions that the teams met in the tournament, AC Milan claimed victory.

Despite both teams showing their calibre and sharing the last two Serie A titles between them, Inter remain at a disadvantage. Or, to put it in terms more flattering to the Nerazzurri, with something to prove.

Although Inter have won two of the three clashes against their cross-town rivals this season, their dire financial situation -- akin to many Italian clubs over the years -- means the upcoming matches will dictate much of their future plans.

As it stands, Milan are sixth in Serie A while Inter are two points and positions ahead. With five games left, both teams stay in contention for a place in the Champions League, a tournament that would guarantee them millions.

Just this year, the duo made around 80 million euros each from the Champions League. The difference is that Inter's accounts show debts that reportedly range from anywhere between 350 million to upwards of 500 million euros.

Although Milan may find themselves out of the Champions League as well if Juventus' 15-point deduction is overturned, their finances are sound enough to not warrant pushing the panic button.

For all these reasons and many more, Inter will feel the air around them growing denser. It is exactly the sort of situation in which the club can thrive.

There has been little in terms of consistency from Simeone Inzaghi's side this season, with losses to Monza, Empoli and Bologna among their 11 defeats in the league. But whenever the situation demanded, the team raised their levels. They have beaten Barcelona, Porto, Benfica and, most recently, Juventus in the semifinal of the Coppa Italia.

In recent weeks, manager Inzaghi and various players have come out and addressed 'attacks' against the club. Accurate or not, it reflects a mentality that the Nerazzurri have used before pulling themselves out of delicate moments in the past.

In common parlance, it is best described as something of an 'us against the world' mindset. The Italians prefer to call it something more poignant, they relate it to a response to 'the noise of the enemies'.

The two best teams remaining in the competition may be on the other side of the draw, so whoever wins the latest Milan derby will be left with a mountain to climb.

But for Inter, who will be hedging a portion of their future on the tie and another that they hope will come, the focus now will be on temporarily shutting the noise that has been coming from enemy lines across town for far too long.