Inter seized control of the Coppa Italia final from the opening whistle at the Stadio Olimpico, heading into the dressing room with a 2-0 halftime advantage over Lazio. Goals from an early own goal and a clinical Lautaro Martínez strike have Cristian Chivu’s side on the brink of a domestic double, just days after sealing the Serie A title.
The breakthrough came in the 14th minute when Federico Dimarco whipped in a dangerous cross from the left. Under pressure, Lazio defender Adam Marusic could only head the ball past his own goalkeeper, giving Inter a deserved lead after a blistering start that pinned the Biancocelesti deep in their own half.
The Nerazzurri doubled their lead in the 35th minute, capitalizing on a catastrophic error by Nuno Tavares. The left-back’s ill-advised backwards pass was intercepted by Denzel Dumfries, who unselfishly squared for Lautaro Martínez to fire home. It was a preventable goal that underscored Lazio’s defensive frailty and Inter’s relentless pressing.
Victory tonight would secure Inter’s 10th Coppa Italia title and their third domestic double in the club’s history, following successes in 2005/06 and 2009/10. Having already clinched the Scudetto under first-year manager Chivu, this Inter side is on the cusp of cementing a legendary status in the club’s annals. “When you play a final it’s always a splendid evening, a moment of great emotion that repays everyone’s efforts,” Inter president Beppe Marotta told SportMediaset before kick-off. “We believe; the hope is to achieve the tenth victory, which would metaphorically bring another star. This is our wish, and I believe the team is motivated just right.”
For Lazio, the final represents a shot at redemption after a turbulent Serie A campaign. Maurizio Sarri’s men have faced internal strife and fan protests, but a rare Olimpico sell-out has set aside discontent in pursuit of a trophy that would also guarantee a direct berth in next season’s Europa League. “Being here is something important; it gives you the chance to play for a trophy,” said sporting director Angelo Mariano Fabiani. “The journey to this final has been incredible. After rejuvenating the squad, who would have thought Motta would take us to the final by saving those penalties? We’re enjoying it to the end, and so are our fans who have finally returned to the stadium.”
This marks only the second Coppa Italia final meeting between the two sides. The first, in 2000, saw Lazio triumph 2-1 on aggregate after a 2-1 home win and a goalless draw in the return leg. For Inter, lifting the trophy would add a second Coppa Italia to the Scudetto already won, replicating the feats of sides managed by Roberto Mancini and José Mourinho in the 2000s. Lautaro Martínez, who netted the second goal, epitomized the hunger in the Inter camp: “It’s a final and there’s a trophy to lift. We must expect anything. We have the hunger to win all trophies – we want to reach the end in every competition. The keyword in our dressing room is ‘win’.”
Sarri, who has lost two cup finals in his career, emphasized the emotional weight of the occasion. “Personally, I’ve already lost two national cup finals, in Italy and in England on the seventh penalty against City. We did more in that game, it’s a big regret. This trophy belongs to the players and the fans; we want to give them huge satisfaction. Not coming to the stadium has been hard for them too. Winning a trophy wouldn’t change my life, but it would be beautiful to give the lads and our supporters joy.”
Tactically, Chivu’s 3-5-2 has stifled Lazio’s 4-3-3, with Inter’s wing-backs overloading the flanks and midfielders Piotr Zielinski and Nicolo Barella dominating central areas. Lazio’s forward line of Gustav Isaksen, Tijjani Noslin, and Mattia Zaccagni has been starved of service, with Inter’s back three of Yann Bisseck, Manuel Akanji, and Alessandro Bastoni largely untroubled. The Nerazzurri have won more duels and completed more passes in the final third, underlining their superiority.
As the second half looms, Lazio must produce a monumental turnaround to avoid a third consecutive defeat to Inter this season, having lost both league meetings. Sarri may turn to his bench for inspiration, but with Inter showing no signs of letting up, the Double is firmly within reach for Chivu’s men. The Olimpico expects a reaction; history suggests a mountain to climb.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.
