Inter vs AC Milan: Complete head-to-head record in the Champions League

Including 'unofficial' bouts, Milan's two footballing behemoths are believed to have faced off over 300 times, but just four of their meetings have arrived in the Champions League.

Both clubs are synonymous with Europe's premier club competition, and each will be looking to return to past glories in 2023.

Seven-time winners Milan haven't lifted the trophy since 2007, while Jose Mourinho was the last manager to guide Inter to European glory in 2010. The special one broke a 45-year duck for the Nerazzurri, who previously won the competition under Helenio Herrera's catenaccio-inspired gaze in 1965.

The current iterations of both Milan clubs may not be so 'grande', nor as tactically revolutionary as Arrigo Sacchi's Rossoneri, but they're gritty and typically Italian. It's bound to be a spectacle at one of football's great amphitheatres when the Derby della Madonnina rivals meet over two legs.

Here's how their past Champions League duels have played out.

Inter vs AC Milan: H2H Champions League record

1. Milan 0-0 Inter - May 2003

The first Champions League meeting between the two Milan clubs was significant. Both sides progressed into the last four and a place in the final was on the line.

Milan were the home side for the first leg and what played out was a vintage calcio stalemate.

The lack of attacking verve in this encounter was quite remarkable given the ludicrous amount of talent between the two sides.

2. Inter 1-1 Milan - May 2003

The second leg was similarly tense, with Inter boss Hector Cuper once again focussing his attention on nullifying Milan's Harlem Globetrotter-like starting XI.

This was a bitty derby, but there were goals at both ends of the pitch. Andriy Shevchenko snagged a crucial 'away' goal for the Rossoneri just before half-time which meant Inter had to score twice to advance.

Obafemi Martins' 84th-minute equaliser set-up a grandstand finish, and Inter came oh so close to completing the turnaround but Christian Abbiati denied substitute Mohamed Kallon one-on-one.

Milan, who scandalously advanced via away goals, went on to beat Scudetto winners Juventus in the final on penalties.

3. Milan 2-0 Inter - April 2005

Somehow, someway the above Milan side did not win the Scudetto in 2004/05. They finished second, seven points adrift of winners Juventus. Although, the Calciopoli scandal would see the Bianconeri relinquish their crown.

Nevertheless, the Rossoneri were too much for their crosstown rivals when they met in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Their superiority was distinct in the first leg, but both of their goals came from set-pieces as Jaap Stam and Shevchenko headed home on either side of the half-time break.

Inter were barely given a sniff, which meant they had it all to do in the return leg...

4. Inter 0-3 Milan - April 2005

A contest famed for producing what has to be the most iconic football image we're ever likely to see.

It was evident early on that Inter were resorting to the dark arts in a bid to unshackle their superior neighbours. Marco Materazzi attempted to get Shevchenko sent off in the opening exchanges when he feigned a headbutt from the Ukrainian, but Sheva remained on the pitch and put the tie beyond the Nerazzurri when he thumped home the opener with 30 minutes gone.

Inter huffed and puffed thereafter, and Interisti were clearly resigned to their fate as they opted to barrage Dida and the San Siro turf with bottles and flares after Esteban Cambiasso's oddly had a goal disallowed.

Amid the 20-minute delay, Materazzi and Rui Costa unknowingly stood side-by-side with a backdrop of red mist for a snap that's been ingrained in football consciousness ever since.

Referee Markus Merk attempted to resume play, but the anarchy continued in the stands which forced the contest to be abandoned. Milan were duly rewarded with a 3-0 win and a 5-0 aggregate triumph.