Italian Cup: Inter win the derby against AC Milan (3-0) and qualify for the final

We know the identity of the first finalist of the 2021/2022 season of the Coppa Italia. While we were expecting a disputed semi-final return after a first leg ended with a goalless score, Inter Milan copiously dominated AC Milan (3-0). The Nerazzurri were able to count on a huge Lautaro Martinez. Author of a double in the first period, the Argentinian put his team on the right track. Ineffective offensively despite several big chances, like a transparent Olivier Giroud, the Rossoneri will have to remobilize for the scudetto. For its part, Inter can still aim for the league and cup double if it manages to beat Juventus Turin or Fiorentina in the final.

Tonight, it was indeed Inter the strongest Milan resident. For their fourth face-to-face of the season, the two rival clubs did not really deliver a resounding spectacle. But the Nerazzurri will be satisfied with it, after two draws and a defeat conceded during the previous shocks. In front of its slightly lodger audience, Inter Milan first relied on two men. Behind, Samir Handanovic held his defense by making the necessary saves against Rafael Leao (28th, 41st) and Alexis Saelemaekers (30th). The keeper made the Rossoneri attackers lose their confidence.

Lautaro takes care of everything, Bennacer is denied a goal

In front, it was Lautaro Martinez who made the powder speak. From the start, he caught a cold from a Mike Maignan who remained on seven clean sheets in a row with a sublime volley with his right foot (1-0, 4th). Just before the break, he took advantage of a nice pass behind Joaquin Correa’s defense to double the lead (2-0, 40th). We also saw the Argentine star give himself in his own last 30 meters, especially against an Olivier Giroud that AC Milan never knew how to touch, whether on set pieces or the too often imprecise crosses of Theo Hernandez.

Back from the locker room, the solid defense of the Nerazzurri allowed them not to shake too much, except on a goal denied by the VAR to Ismaël Bennacer. An offside position was signaled against Pierre Kalulu, which would have hampered the visibility of Handanovic (66th). The meeting was thus stopped for more than four minutes pending the decision of the referee, who had to consult the video … and finally cancel the goal. “No one has ever seen a goalkeeper not protest if he feels he has been embarrassed on a goal. Handanovic disputed for a possible hand (…) But how is it possible?“, pestered Milan coach Stefano Pioli after the meeting, furious after this decision.

Robin Gosens, who had just come into play, still made things worse by taking over a center dropped by Danilo D’Ambrosio (3-0, 83rd). Watch out for the final sprint for Stefano Pioli’s men, as this heavy setback from the hated neighbor could leave its mark. Mistress of its destiny on two counts, Inter is on its way to a double which would support its return to the fore much more, to the detriment of Milan, therefore.