‘Back to their best’
Inter see off Milan to reach Italian Cup final
LAUTARO MARTINEZ scored twice as Inter Milan beat city rivals AC Milan 3-0 yesterday to reach the Italian Cup final.
The semifinal second leg was closer than the scoreline suggested, but Inter ultimately were comfortable winners on aggregate after a goalless draw in the first fixture.
“I am happy because we are playing another final, we work to bring Inter to the top and tonight we proved it again,” said Martinez. “The fans are pleased and so are we.”
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi was happy with how his team played and said the Nerazzurri are back to their best.
“I think the guys were fantastic,” he said. “We played this derby with tactical intelligence, striking at the right moments.
“We wanted to win this derby which was very important because it was for a place in the final, and we deserved it based on how we played on the pitch.
“This is what we have been working for since
July 8,” the coach continued. “We’ve won a final, we will play another in twenty days that matters greatly to us, and then we have the final matches in the league.
“We’ve done well to keep our heads,” Inzaghi said of how the team have gotten back into form after a poor run of results in February and March.
“In a month and a half of the very demanding schedule between the Supercoppa (Italian Super Cup) and the Champions League, we spent a lot physically and mentally, dropping a few points along the way,” he added.
“We all felt it, but we worked hard and now we go onto this final. We wanted to win at all costs.
“Now we have this long final run-in in the league, we are chasing the leaders Milan but we want to fight on all fronts.”
AC Milan remain without a major trophy since winning the 2011 Serie A title, but the Scudetto is still up for grabs this season.
Stefano Pioli’s men lead Inter by two points in the table, although the reigning champions have a game in hand.
The Serie A leaders thought they had given themselves hope in the 66th minute when Ismael Bennacer reduced the deficit to
one goal but his long range effort was ruled offside by VAR.
Pioli was angered by the decision, which took the wind out of Milan’s sails.
“Look at Handanovic’s reaction. He doesn’t even complain,” Pioli told Mediaset.
“Tell me a goalkeeper who doesn’t react after conceding if a Milan player had damaged his view. Instead, he does nothing, they only complained about a handball that wasn’t even
there. Come on! Come