Milan ready for fireworks

SECURITY will be beefed up in Milan for today’s visit of Eintracht Frankfurt in an evenly-poised Europa League tie against Inter.

The match at the San Siro is one of the picks of the last 16 secondleg games, which also see Arsenal seeking to overcome a 3-1 deficit when they host French side Rennes.

Police in Milan will have assistance from German officers for the match amid heightened security after Frankfurt fans rioted in Rome in December before the group game at Lazio.

Frankfurt, Germany’s last representative in the competition, will have to do without coach Adi Huetter on the touchline as he is serving a ban for kicking a water bottle in the first leg.

Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, who saved a penalty from Marcelo Brozovic in the first leg, said: “It will be an interesting game. Inter have to go forward, and we also have to score a goal to progress. Our situation is fine because we only have to avoid defeat.”

Said Inter winger Matteo Politano: “There are many games. We must prepare for them one at a time. The Thursday game comes first, then we have the derby. It would be great to win the derby but we have to think about a very important European game.”

Striker Mauro Icardi is out pending a contract renewal and a knee injury, while Lautaro Martinez is suspended, which forces Inter boss Luciano Spalletti to field the recovering Keita Balde up front.