Inter Milan will defend their crown in the final of the Italian Cup on May 24, thanks to their victory over Juventus Turin (1-0) on Wednesday at San Siro in the semi-final return, synonymous with qualification after the draw at the first leg (1-1). Simone Inzaghi’s team will find Fiorentina or Cremonese in the final in Rome, opposed Thursday in the semi-final second leg with a clear option for Viola, victorious 2-0 in the first leg.
Inter, who won the trophy last season by beating Juve in the final (4-2 a.p.), were quickly rewarded for their energetic start: Federico Dimarco opened the scoring from outside the left to the conclusion of a mischievous ball from Nicolo Barella in the area (15th). More biting, the Milanese could have taken off before the break but Lautaro Martinez missed the target on two hard shots (21st, 32nd) then found the bianconero goalkeeper Mattia Perin on a new cross attempt (38th).
With Federico Chiesa and Angel Di Maria in front but without their center forward Dusan Vlahovic, injured, Juve weighed little, only dangerous on a sudden strike from Filip Kostic deflected by André Onana (34th). The entry into play when Arkadiusz Milik resumed to give more weight to the attack did not upset the meaning of this match controlled by Inter.
Apart from a shot from Manuel Locatelli without danger for Onana (50th), the Old Lady circled around the Milan defense without finding space. Beaten in their last three league matches, Juve are looking for a second wind and their coach Massimiliano Allegri only has the Europa League left to avoid completing a second season without a title since his return to the bench in 2021 .
On the contrary, it was Inter who were close to doubling the lead, but Martinez was too short on a low cross from Denzel Dumfries (67th) then Perin impeccable on a recovery from Henrikh Mkhitaryan (73rd). Inter are indeed finding their colors before an exciting end to the season, between battle for Europe in the league, semi-finals of the Champions League against AC Milan and now the final of the Italian Cup.
“Pardoned” after his exclusion from the first leg, canceled because of the racist cries he had been the target of in Turin, Romelu Lukaku was able to come into play, but without having the opportunity to silence the tifosi bianconeri again. The Belgian will have another opportunity to shine in this competition, on May 24 in the final.
