Inter Milan has made its way to the semifinals of the Coppa Italia after defeating Lazio 2-0 at San Siro, setting the stage for an electric Milan derby. The match saw standout performances from Marko Arnautovic, who opened the scoring with a spectacular volley, and Hakan Calhanoglu, who sealed the victory with a penalty late in the game.
With head coach Simone_Inzaghi opting for several key rotations to rest his players for the upcoming Serie A match against Napoli, the Nerazzurri were prepared to face the challenges posed by Lazio. Despite missing important players like Thuram, Sommer, and Carlos Augusto, Inter’s depth proved sufficient.
The first half commenced with Lazio showing more urgency as Isaksen made dangerous runs, forcing Inter's goalkeeper Josep Martinez to make swift saves. At 39 minutes, it was Arnautovic who shifted the momentum. After the Lazio defense cleared the initial corner kick, Arnautovic lashed out at the ball from the edge of the area, sending it curling past the goalkeeper and finding the bottom corner for the lead.
After the break, Lazio aimed to respond, but Inter's defense tightened, and the pivotal moment came when Correa was brought down by Gigot, resulting in a penalty. Calhanoglu took charge, expertly placing the ball past Mandas to secure the win for Inter.
This semi-final match-up with AC Milan, scheduled for April 2 and April 23, will be the fifth encounter between the teams this season. The scale of excitement surrounding this derby is enormous as both teams aim for glory, adding even more intensity to the rivalry.
Both tactics and player deployments were key factors; with Arnautovic noted for his ability to turn the tide at any moment, and Calhanoglu’s calmness under pressure evident during the penalty, Inter displayed their readiness for the challenges of top-level football.
Fans can expect to see another heated derby, as Milan has proven to be formidable opponents throughout the season. This pivotal clash is poised to deliver drama, excitement, and the possibility of securing the coveted Coppa Italia trophy.