Inter Milan KNOCK-OUT Juventus To Advance To The Final Of The Coppa Italia.

Inter Milan defeats their all-time rivals Juventus 1-0 at the San Siro, and 2-1 on aggregate to advance to the Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) final on Wednesday night.

Having seen out a controlled 1-0 win over Atalanta in the quarter-finals, they beat Juve in over two legs, a team who they had beaten in the final of last season's edition of the competition, 4-2 it ended at the Stadio Olimpico. 

The first leg played on April 4, had ended in a 1-1 draw at the Alliance stadium in Turin. Romelu Lukaku responded to Juan Cuadrado 's 83rd minute goal in full stoppage time (90+5 mins), in a match marred by racist chants and a final brawl. 

Both scorers later went on to receive red cards later on in the game.

The Nerazzurri were the better side on the return leg, as Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez were both dangerous in the first half but it is left-back Federico Dimarco who unlocks the game.

Dimarco scored the only goal in the 15th minute of an underwhelming encounter, as he met Nicolo Barella’s pass which was intended for Edin Dzeko and rolling past Mattia Perin.

It was the Italian’s fifth goal of the season for his boyhood club and one which continues Inter’s cup campaign.

It has hardly been easy, but Inter are in the final of the Coppa Italia for the second season running.

Simone Inzaghi’s side have already won the Italian Super Cup and will have the chance to retain the Italian Cup in Rome on May 24, most likely against Fiorentina.

In the second semi-final game, Fiorentina host Cremonese 2-0 ahead from their first leg and almost guaranteed passage to the final 

Inter Milan are also preparing for a blockbuster derby with AC Milan in the Champions League semi-finals in two weeks time.

They are currently sixth in the Serie A table with 54 points, that two points behind Roma and AC Milan who have same points after 31 matches each in the race for the top four.

Speaking to InterTV after the team’s 1-0 win over the Bianconeri, via FCInterNews, the coach stressed that reaching the final was an objective that he and his players wanted “at all costs,” and that it is special to be able to be playing evenings like this.

“We played an excellent match,” Inzaghi said, “with concentration and teamwork.”

“We wanted to reach the final at all costs, and despite all the matches we’re playing we played an excellent match from start to finish.”

The coach called it a “Beautiful evening, in our stadium in front of our fans.”

“I’m happy for them, for the guys, and for my club,” he went on.

“We’re doing great things despite the fixture list, but we want to enjoy evenings like this.”

Asked if he felt that his team had played a perfect match, Inzaghi responded “Absolutely, yes. From everyone.”

“We had a great approach, the first half hour was amazing, then we had a bit of a breather at the end of the first half.

“But the team conceded very little to a high-quality opponent.

“They were all involved as always. I have a big squad and everyone is responsible, everyone works hard throughout the week in the hopes that we can enjoy evenings like this,” he added.

“We have ten more matches to go, and lets hope one more.”

And asked whether he thinks that this can be a turning point in the season, Inzaghi replied “Hopefully so.”

“We won the Champions League semifinal, then we had Empoli – I’m happy with these last three matches, we have to keep going without looking back, but from tomorrow on we’ll think about Lazio because that will be an important match.”