The respected Russian analyst, former football player, and Spartak Moscow legend Valery Gladilin shared his outlook on the Milan-Inter clash in the Champions League semi-finals. He noted that the teams appeared evenly matched and that forecasting a winner would be challenging. Gladilin stressed that this tie would place a special burden on the managers, who must craft each side’s approach with precision .
Forecasts are finely balanced, he suggested, with both Milan and Inter boasting depth across the frontline and the engine room. The quality of players on both sides means small margins could decide the result. Luck, in Gladilin’s view, will also factor in, but the key may lie in which coach can best shape the tempo and rhythm of the match, how effectively they exploit tactical adjustments, and how quickly they can adapt to changing moments on the field .
Milan reached the semi-finals by overcoming Napoli in a two-legged tie. The Rossoneri edged the first leg 1-0 and earned a draw in the second, sealing advancement on aggregate. In contrast, Inter advanced by defeating Benfica in the other semi-final, with the aggregate scoreline showing a dramatic 3:3 in the end, as the two legs concluded with equal tallies and away goals were not the deciding factor .
In the other semi-final pairing, Real Madrid faced Manchester City. Madrid secured a 2-0 victory in both legs against Chelsea, while City pushed through with an emphatic 3-0 win in the first leg against Bayern, followed by a 1-1 draw in the second leg, sealing their place in the final stages .
Former Russian international striker Dmitry Bulykin offered his take on the outcome, expressing confidence that Manchester City would win the Champions League. His assessment underscores the belief that City’s depth, experience, and recent performances position them as strong favorites in the current campaign .