ROME — The Coppa Italia final at the Stadio Olimpico got off to a dramatic start as Inter took a 1-0 lead into the first half thanks to an unfortunate own goal by Lazio’s Adam Marusic. Cristian Chivu’s newly crowned Serie A champions, hunting a historic Double, capitalized on a Federico Dimarco cross that the Lazio defender headed past his own goalkeeper in the 14th minute.
The atmosphere was electric from the outset, with a full house of 70,000 fans creating a cauldron of noise. Lazio supporters, who had recently staged protests against the club’s ownership over poor league form, agreed to a truce for the final, providing unwavering backing for Maurizio Sarri’s side. Meanwhile, Inter’s traveling fans unfurled an ironic banner aimed at Milan director Furlani, reading “Furlani resta con noi” (Furlani, stay with us), underlining the Nerazzurri’s confidence after securing their 21st Scudetto just days earlier.
Sarri, who has never won the Coppa Italia as a manager, made two changes from the league defeat to Inter, fielding a 4-3-3 with Motta in goal and Basic, Patric, and Taylor in midfield. Inter lined up in their familiar 3-5-2, with Chivu opting for Martinez over Sommer between the posts and keeping the attacking duo of Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram intact. The Nerazzurri had beaten Lazio 3-0 in the same stadium just four days prior in Serie A, setting the stage for a potential repeat.
The match started at a frenetic pace, with Inter immediately pressing high and forcing Lazio into errors. In the 8th minute, Inter center-back Manuel Akanji received a yellow card for a rash challenge on Tijjani Noslin, becoming the first of two early bookings for the Nerazzurri defense. Despite the early cautions, Inter remained on the front foot, probing down the flanks through Dimarco and Denzel Dumfries.
The opening goal arrived in the 14th minute, and it was a moment of misfortune for Lazio. Dimarco whipped in a dangerous cross from the left, and Marusic, under pressure from Thuram, mistimed his header, sending the ball looping over the stranded Motta and into the net. The Olympico fell momentarily silent, save for the jubilant celebrations among the Inter faithful. It was a cruel twist for the Montenegrin full-back, who had been solid in the buildup, but it handed Inter a crucial advantage.
Inter nearly doubled the lead three minutes later when Nicolò Barella delivered an inch-perfect cross from the right, but Lautaro Martinez’s header drifted just wide of the post. Lazio’s best moment came in the 23rd minute when Nuno Tavares slipped a through ball to Mattia Zaccagni, only for Akanji to make a vital interception. Sarri’s men struggled to create clear-cut chances against a disciplined Inter defense, with goalkeeper Martinez largely untroubled.
Before the match, both clubs’ executives and coaches had emphasized the importance of the occasion. Inter president Beppe Marotta said, “When you play a final, it’s always a splendid evening, a moment of great emotion that repays everyone’s efforts. We believe, and we hope to secure the tenth victory, which would metaphorically bring another star.” Sarri, meanwhile, spoke of personal redemption: “I’ve already lost two national cup finals, in Italy and England on the seventh penalty against City. This is a trophy for the players and the fans—we want to give them a great satisfaction.”
The own goal tilted the psychological balance firmly in Inter’s favor. Having already dominated Lazio twice in the league this season, Chivu’s side looked in complete control, managing the tempo and exploiting Lazio’s vulnerability on the counter. With Lazio needing to chase the game, space opened up, but Inter’s compact midfield of Barella, Zielinski, and Sucic limited the supply to the isolated Noslin and Isaksen.
For Lazio, the path back into the contest hinges on Sarri’s ability to reorganize at halftime. The Biancocelesti have overturned deficits before in this competition, but doing so against a team that has already beaten them comfortably twice this season is a formidable task. The potential for a ninth-minute turnaround remains, but the early evidence suggests Inter are on course to add the Coppa Italia to their league crown, a feat they last achieved in the 2009-10 treble-winning season.
As the first half neared its conclusion, Inter continued to press, with Piotr Zielinski trying an audacious volley that sailed over the bar, and Dumfries seeing a close-range effort blocked by Tavares. Lazio’s urgency grew, but the final ball was often lacking. The match officials added one minute of stoppage time, but no further significant action occurred before the interval whistle.
The second half promises a fierce response from Sarri’s side, who are expected to introduce more attacking options. Yet Inter’s defensive solidity, despite two early bookings, has been resolute. With the Double in sight, Chivu’s men will look to manage the game and seal a historic triumph.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.
