Coppa Italia 2026-27 bracket opens the door to a Derby della Madonnina in the semifinals
The format of the 2026-27 Coppa Italia is set, and the clash that all of Italy wants to see already has its route traced: Inter and Milan could meet in the semifinals. The bracket follows a logic similar to tennis, with pre-defined paths for each club from the opening stage, and the heavier side of the draw promises weighty duels even before the grand finale.
How the bracket works and who is on which side
The top eight from the last Italian championship secured seeded status: Inter, Napoli, Roma, Como, Milan, Juventus, Atalanta, and Bologna. All of them enter the competition straight in the round of 16, with home advantage guaranteed in every knockout tie except the semifinals.
By the current design of the bracket, one half of the draw could bring together Inter vs Bologna and Como vs Milan in the quarterfinals. On the other side, the scenario points to duels between Roma and Juventus, and between Napoli and Atalanta. If each of them advances as expected, the classic between the two Milan rivals happens in the penultimate stage.
In total, there are 44 clubs in the tournament: the 20 from Serie A, the 20 from Serie B, and four more promoted from Lega Pro. The diversity of participants contrasts with the weight of the teams that only enter in the round of 16 — which reduces the risk of early surprises for the big sides.
Rules that change the tactical calculation
One regulatory detail stands out: the semifinal is the only stage where the teams face each other over two legs, with alternating home advantage. All other ties are played as a single match, on the ground of the better-ranked team in the competition’s hierarchy.
Another point that sets this edition apart: there is no extra time. In the event of a draw at the end of 90 minutes, the game goes straight to penalties. Less accumulated drama, but more concentrated tension. For teams used to managing the scoreline, the rule demands heightened attention from the very first minute.
Inter arrives as holders — and as targets
The Nerazzurri have reason to approach the tournament with ambition. The Milan side lifted the trophy this season by beating Lazio 2-0 in the final. Defending the title with a possible Derby della Madonnina along the way is no simple task, but it places Inter right at the center of attention from the outset.
Milan, for its part, arrives as the fifth seed, with a path potentially more demanding than expected for the opening stage. An early reunion with the historic rival in the semifinal would be the most-watched duel of the competition in years — and both sets of fans already know it.
