TOPS
It was his match, his evening and it is certainly his team. The Argentine world champion was again irresistible this Wednesday evening against Fiorentina (2-1), in the final of the Italian Cup, with a double in less than ten minutes which allowed Inter to overthrow Fiorentina. Lautaro scored his 100th then 101st goal (29th and 37th) in the Inter jersey at the best of times, to sign with authority a success that brought Inter their first title of the season. And maybe not the last, while waiting for the Champions League final on June 10, against Manchester City.
The Nerazzurri suffered and largely in the second period. However, whether it was the saves of Samir Handanovic, as in front of Luca Jovic (79th) or the decisive interventions of Acerbi and others, the opposing opportunities were multiple. But this team has heart, character and personality. She also knows how to endure and hunker down, which will help her to apprehend the English ogre in the C1 final… Inter’s strength is their ability to react like this evening after conceding the opening of the score, but also its solidity to maintain a favorable result. Even if the season has not been all rosy, Inter in recent weeks is indestructible and now winner of the Italian Cup for the 9th time.
Despite the defeat, we must recognize that Fiorentina showed a bright face this Wednesday in Rome. He didn’t lack much to reverse the trend… if not efficiency. After a superb start to the game, then showered by the double of Lautaro Maritnez, the Tuscans returned from the locker room with a knife between their teeth. But that wasn’t enough. Even with 19 shots, including 13 in the 2nd period, and many clear chances. Nicolas Gonzalez did an outstanding job on his right side, as did Giacomo Bonaventura in the middle. Luca Jovic made a very good start, certainly creating his team’s best chances at the end of the game, such as his face-to-face victory by Handanovic.
FLOPS
He too is Argentinian, his name is also Martinez but he has not had the same success as his compatriot, a double scorer opposite. The central defender of the Viola found himself at fault on the equalizer of the Nerazzurri, the one which completely revived Inter after a superb start to the match from Fiorentina. Martinez Quarta slipped at the worst of times, to provide a dream passing window for Brozovic. Behind, the other Martinez only had to finish the job as he knows how to do it so well (29th). His yellow card received at the start of the second period did not help his performance after a big foul on Dzeko (55th). This is why he left in the 70th minute of the game replaced by Luca Ranieri.
Like his partner in central defense, the Serbian defender, although usually very good, did not deliver his best copy. Like his team, he paid for the little details that cost a lot during a final. Especially on the second goal (37th), where he is in a duel with Lautaro Martinez who is ahead of him, much more biting. In the second half, he suffered the percussion of Lukaku after his entry (58th) including one on the best chance of Inter (76th) that Gosens would have put in the bottom without a miraculous return from Dodo.
