There will an Italian side in the 2022/23 Champions League final as AC Milan face Inter Milan in the semifinal of the competition.
It will be the first time since 2017, when Juventus lost 4-1 to Real Madrid, that a Serie A team will be in the final. There are also Italian teams in the latter stages of the Europa League and Europa Conference League.
Milan and Inter will face each other in the first leg of their semi-final on Wednesday, May 10 before the second leg six days later to see who will reach the final.
The Sporting News looks at the previous Italian winners in the Champions League and their record in the competition.
MORE: AC Milan vs Inter Milan head to head history
Which Italian clubs have won the Champions League?
Only three Italian teams have won the Champions League throughout their history, with Milan leading the way with seven titles. They have won more than Juventus and Inter combined.
Juventus have had poor luck in the Champions League over the years, losing seven times in the finals. No side has faced defeat more than The Old Lady in the finals, with Benfica and Bayern Munich losing five times apiece.
Inter are the Italian side with the most recent Champions League title, securing the trophy in 2010 under the guidance of Jose Mourinho.
| Team | Champions Leagues won | Years won | Years lost (finals) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC Milan | 7 | 1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007 | 1958, 1993, 1995, 2005 |
| Inter | 3 | 1964, 1965, 2010 | 1967, 1972 |
| Juventus | 2 | 1985, 1996 | 1973, 1983, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2015, 2017 |
Have Italian teams played each other in the Champions League?
Italian sides have faced each other in three different knockout ties in the competition before, with Milan participating on all three occasions.
MORE: Why there is no away goal rule in the Champions League this year
AC Milan vs Inter Milan, 2002/03 semi-final, 1-1 on aggregate (AC Milan through on away goals)
Milan's Andriy Shevchenko proved to be the hero when they faced Inter for a place in the 2002/03 finals.
After a goalless first leg, the Ukrainian's finish in the second leg was enough to see the Rossoneri go through on away goals despite both games being played at San Siro.
Obafemi Martins scored late on for Inter, but it was not enough to see them beat their rivals.
AC Milan vs Juventus, 2002/03 final, 0-0 (AC Milan won 3-2 on penalties)
After beating Inter in the semifinal, Milan faced domestic rivals Juventus in the final at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium. The Bianconeri had already secured the Serie A before facing Milan in what was Marcello Lippi's fourth Champions League final with Juventus.
Shevchenko this time had a goal ruled out for offside as the match ended 0-0 and went to penalties. Both goalkeepers stepped up for their side, but it was Milan who edged it again.
Gianluigi Buffon saved two in the shootout for Juventus, but Dida stopped David Trezeguet, Marcelo Zalayeta and Paolo Montero from scoring as Milan won 3-2 on penalties.
AC Milan vs Inter Milan, 2004/05 quarter-final, 5-0 on aggregate
The two Milan sides met again in the 2004/05 season, but this time things got out of hand.
AC Milan won their 'home' game 2-0 thanks to goals from Shevchenko and Jaap Stam. The striker then scored again in the first half of the second leg, meaning Inter needed four goals to go through.
Esteban Cambiasso saw his goal disallowed for Inter, sparking a hostile reaction from the Inter fans. They threw flares onto the pitch, one of which hit keeper Dida on the shoulder. They continued to attack Milan players, however, with Christian Abbiati another victim, and the game was called off, with Milan were awarded a 3-0 win.