Inter Milan retained the Italian Cup by beating Fiorentina (2-1) thanks to a double from Lautaro Martinez, Wednesday in Rome, and started well towards the big piece that awaits it: Manchester City in Champions League final. The insatiable Argentinian “Toro” has crossed the 100-goal mark for Inter (101) since 2018 to lead the Nerazzurri to their second trophy of the season, after the Italian Super Cup won in January against Barcelona. AC Milan (3-0). Dreaming of a hat-trick on June 10 in Istanbul against the Citizens of Pep Guardiola.
Success in the cuts
Coach Simone Inzaghi, despite fears at the end of the match, confirms his success in the national cups with seven trophies raised in six years with Lazio Rome and Inter (three Italian Cups and four Super Cups). Is it the surprise strike of encouragement observed during the first quarter of an hour by the “ultras” interists, unhappy at not having had priority to buy the tickets for the Istanbul final? Still, Inter started their match upside down, extinguished by Fiorentina who scored in the 3rd minute.
Nicolas Gonzalez took over a low cross from Jonathan Ikoné at the far post in a static nerazzurra defense, just in front of the bend occupied by the silent Milanese fans. Fortunately for the former laziale coach Simone Inzaghi, back in a stadio Olimpico which he knows well, the strike of the tifosi did not last. And the resumption of songs was followed by the awakening of the Milanese on the lawn.
Fiorentina must wait
Edin Dzeko, another great connoisseur of the Olimpico as a former Roma, was first very clumsy by sending a ball into the clouds, alone in front of the goalkeeper (24th). Lautaro Martinez did not miss the target when he found himself in front of goal, covered by defender Lucas Martinez Quarta on a through ball from Marcelo Brozovic (29th). The Argentinian world champion did it again less than ten minutes later with a nice volley from a cross from Nicolo Barella (37th), completely overturning this final.
Fiorentina put the pressure back on in the second half, against a compact and managing Inter. This growing pressure became almost unbearable in the last quarter of an hour. Samir Handanovic was intractable in front of Luka Jovic (79th) but the Milan goalkeeper was then very happy to see the Serbian striker send his header wide (82nd) then to see a defender supplement him in front of his line on a final hot ball ( 87th).
Inter, who missed the break on a violent shot from Romelu Lukaku well repelled by Pietro Terracciano (67th), are doing well but keep this cup won last season. La Viola will still have to wait before winning a trophy, which has not happened to her for 22 years. The wait might not be too long since a European final also awaits him, on June 7, against West Ham in the Europa League Conference.