Inter Milan secured their tenth Coppa Italia title and a domestic double by beating Lazio 2-0 in a one-sided final at the Stadio Olimpico. Cristian Chivu’s side, fresh off their Serie A triumph, delivered a ruthless performance to cap a dream debut season for the Romanian manager.
For Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio, the defeat was a bitter blow—not only missing out on silverware but also seeing their last pathway into Europe evaporate. Only a victory would have secured a Europa League berth, but instead Lazio’s season ends with a whimper.
The teams lined up as expected: Lazio in a 4-3-3 with Motta in goal, a back four of Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, and Nuno Tavares; a midfield of Basic, Patric, and Taylor; and an attacking trio of Isaksen, Noslin, and Zaccagni. Inter mirrored their familiar 3-5-2, with Martinez between the sticks, a defensive trio of Bisseck, Akanji, and Bastoni, wing-backs Dumfries and Dimarco, a midfield of Barella, Zielinski, and Sucic, and Lautaro Martinez partnering Thuram up front.
Inter seized control from the outset, hogging 71% possession and firing eight shots compared to Lazio’s two in the first 45 minutes. The pressure told after just 14 minutes when Dimarco’s pinpoint cross from the left was met by the unfortunate Marusic, who headed past his own goalkeeper to give Inter the lead. It was a gift and a sign of Lazio’s frailty under the high ball.
Worse followed for Lazio in the 35th minute. A catastrophic backpass from Nuno Tavares sent Dumfries clean through, and the Dutch wing-back unselfishly squared for Lautaro Martinez to tap into an empty net. The Argentine’s predatory instinct made it two goals in the final, and the contest was effectively over before half-time.
Lazio emerged after the interval with more urgency, Sarri throwing on Rovella for Patric at the break, then later introducing Dia, Lazzari, Cancellieri, and Pedro as he chased a lifeline. But for all their huff and puff, they failed to seriously test Inter’s goalkeeper. A snapshot from Noslin skimmed the post, and Dia was denied by Martinez when clean through, but Inter’s backline—anchored by Bastoni and Akanji—held firm.
Tempers flared late on when a late tackle by Pedro on Dimarco sparked a melee, with both the Lazio forward and Dimarco receiving yellow cards. It was a reflection of Lazio’s frustration on a night when nothing went right. Even the arrival of young talents like Cancellieri and Dia could not unlock Inter’s organized defense.
After the final whistle, Chivu reflected on a historic achievement. “We won two trophies this year, we deserved them. We are happy for all we've overcome in recent years, for the fans and the club who always supported us,” he told Mediaset. The coach, in his first senior managerial role, has now added a Coppa Italia to the Scudetto, cementing a historic double for the Nerazzurri. Earlier, club president Beppe Marotta had emphasized the significance of a tenth cup, equating it to a metaphorical star on the jersey, though the regulations do not permit one.
Sarri’s pre-match words now ring hollow. “Winning the trophy won't change my life,” he had said, but the defeat likely deepens questions about his future after a season of underachievement in the league. Lazio’s director of sport Angelo Fabiani had praised the team’s path to the final, but the reality is that this squad fell short when it mattered most, undone by their own mistakes.
For Inter, the victory cements a season of dominance. They become one of the few teams to complete a domestic double in recent seasons, and with Chivu at the helm, a new cycle may be beginning. For Lazio, the off-season promises reflection and rebuild. The Olimpico witnessed a ruthless display of clinical football—and the coronation of a deserving champion.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.
