Asmir Begovic
Everton goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

It doesn't get much bigger than this.

I played in one of the Milan derbies there and it was the best I've played in. Nothing comes close, the atmosphere tonight will be absolutely electric. There is nothing like it.

This will be a truly special night. The build up started weeks ago, it is the game everyone wants to go to.

BBC Radio 5 Live

There is full BBC Radio 5 Live commentary from the San Siro tonight. You can listen to that on this page.

Ian Dennis and Pat Nevin are in Milan for that.

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AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud says he is "more motivated than ever" at the age of 36 as he attempts to win a second Champions League title.

Giroud was an unused substitute in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Manchester City in the 2021 final.

He left the Blues that summer to join Milan.

"I have the same motivations as a young boy," said the France striker.

"I'm more motivated than ever. It's a great opportunity to win the Champions League.

"A derby is always a special match. I am very proud of this Milan team and we hope to do something great."

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The last time these sides met in the Champions League was the 2005 quarter-final.

It was abandoned after flares and other objects rained down on the San Siro turf from a section of Inter fans, one striking and injuring Milan goalkeeper Dida.

The tie was later awarded to Milan, who were leading 3-0 on aggregate.

There was an iconic photo of Rui Costa and Marco Materazzi together with a hazy wall of red smoke and simmering flares.

"Everyone was focused on the flares, on the smoke," photographer Stefano Rellandini, who captured that iconic image 18 years ago, told my colleague Alex Bysouth. "But near the centre of the pitch I saw a certain moment.

"Materazzi was nicknamed something like a butcher; he is not really a gentle player. Rui Costa was the opposite - more gentle, more artistic in his football. For several seconds Materazzi put his elbow on the shoulder of Rui Costa.

"So when I saw that, I shot it. I have just one frame in that sequence. That was the moment."

Read more here.

Milan centre-back Fikayo Tomori is the first English player to appear in a Champions League semi-final for a foreign club since Steve McManaman in May 2003 for Real Madrid.

A big loss for AC Milan as Rafael Leao misses out because of a muscle injury.

The forward, who has scored 13 goals and registered 10 assists in all competitions this season, went off after just 12 minutes of Saturday's 2-0 win against Lazio.

Alexis Saelemaekers starts on the left wing.

AC Milan XI: Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Kjaer, Hernandez; Tonali, Krunic; Diaz, Bennacer, Saelemaekers; Giroud

Subs: Mirante, Nava, Ballo, Rebić, Kalulu, Origi, Thiaw, Junior Messias, Pobega, Gabbia, De Ketelaere

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Edin Dzeko is preferred in attack to Romelu Lukaku for Inter Milan.

Hakan Calhanoglu starts in midfield as Marcelo Brozovic drops to the bench.

Inter Milan XI: Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni, Dumfries; Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martínez, Dzeko

Subs: Handanovič, Cordaz, Gagliardini, De Vrij, Gosens, Correa, Bellanova, Asllani, D'Ambrosio, Zanotti, Brozović, Lukaku

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Image source, Getty Images

A Milan derby?

In a Champions League semi-final?

Don't mind if we do.