Inter set up an exciting Coppa Italia semi-final derby against AC Milan with a 2-0 win over Lazio, extending their unbeaten run at home to 16 matches in all competitions.
The match was intense from the start, with hard tackles from both teams, but it became clear that Inter had the edge in possession while Lazio looked dangerous on the counter. Boulaye Dia had the first chance, with his deflected shot narrowly missing, and Gustav Isaksen also tried his luck from distance. Despite Lazio’s threats, Inter took the lead late in the first half thanks to a stunning piece of skill from Marko Arnautović. After a Lazio clearance from an Inter set-piece, the Austrian forward struck a powerful first-time volley from 30 yards out, leaving goalkeeper Christos Mandas stunned.
The break gave Lazio a chance to regroup, and Isaksen continued to cause problems after the restart, but Josep Martínez made a strong save from his run into the area. Lazio kept pushing for an equaliser, but their efforts were either off target or saved by Martínez, who was in top form. Just when it seemed Lazio were building momentum in the final 15 minutes, former Lazio player Joaquín Correa won a penalty after being fouled in the box just as he was about to shoot.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu remained calm amid protests and confidently sent Mandas the wrong way to double Inter’s lead. Lazio nearly pulled one back straight away, but Pedro’s deflected shot hit the bar. Inter managed to see out the game, securing the win and sending Lazio out in the quarter-finals for the fifth time in the last six Coppa Italia seasons.
