Inter Milan continued their impressive run in the Coppa Italia with a decisive 2-0 victory over Lazio during the quarter-finals held at the iconic San Siro Stadium on February 25, 2025. The triumph, secured with goals from Marko Arnautovic and Hakan Calhanoglu, extends Inter’s aspirations for silverware this season.
On a night filled with high hopes, the stadium buzzed with energy as 53,333 spectators filled the stands. Among them, 1,130 loyal Lazio supporters made the trip to cheer for their team, showcasing the fervor and dedication of both fan bases. The remarkable attendance reflects the unwavering support from Inter's fans, turning up en masse even on weekdays for important matches.
The match began with Inter controlling the pace and dominating possession, but they faced stiff resistance from Lazio’s well-organized defense. Opportunities were sparse until the 39th minute when Arnautovic struck gold. He capitalized on rebound from Lazio's defense after a corner, executing a stunning volley to open the scoring and send the home crowd roaring.
Despite trailing, Lazio responded with vigor after the break, intensifying their efforts to equalize. Inter's goalkeeper, Josep Martinez, was called upon multiple times, asserting himself with impressive saves to keep his team in front. The tides shifted decisively for Inter with just 15 minutes remaining when Joaquin Correa was fouled by Samuel Gigot inside the penalty box. Calhanoglu stepped up to the spot, converting the penalty with confidence, sealing the win for the Nerazzurri.
"We have a great team; we all must be ready to play. I'm glad we played great and got to the semi-finals – this was our goal," said Piotr Zieliński, who played the entire match and was instrumental throughout. His performance was marked by high accuracy, boasting 92% passing precision, underscoring his role as the midfield linchpin.
The victory now sets up another intense chapter for Inter, as they prepare to clash with their city rivals, AC Milan, in the semi-finals. This upcoming derby carries additional weight, with rematch aspirations following their recent losses to Milan across various competitions. "We want to show we’re the stronger team, but right now we must focus on winning each match," Zieliński added, reflecting the team's determination and focus.
This semi-final encounter promises to be electric, building on the competitive history between the two clubs. Inter's task is not only to assert dominance over their rivals but also to keep their hopes alive for Coppa Italia glory.
Prior to Inter's well-earned advancement, earlier quarter-final matches included Bologna's narrow win over Atalanta, and AC Milan edging out AS Roma. Juventus will face Empoli to determine the last semi-finalist, adding to the drama leading up to the finals scheduled for May 14 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome.
With their quest for the Coppa Italia continuing, Inter Milan's focus remains sharp as they gear up for what could be the defining match of their season against arch-rivals Milan. Fans will eagerly await this city showdown, hoping their team can turn the tides from previous encounters and secure victory on the path to cup success.