There will be no Milan derby in the semifinal of the Coppa Italia. At San Siro on Thursday evening, Inter were defeated on penalties by Lazio at the end of a match that was not beautiful, but enhanced by a heart-pounding finish.
In the first 45 minutes, the biancocelesti make themselves preferred to the hosts: Inzaghi's team almost always manages the ball and has a couple of great chances with Immobile and Luis Alberto, but neither of them manages to find the way to the net.
In the second half the music changes and Spalletti's men come out: in the 61st minute Joao Mario shoots from afar, Starkosha rejects badly and Candreva – a great ex of the evening – has a ball on his right plate to push on goal, but makes a spectacular mistake.
In the final Handanovic is the protagonist, who takes his team to extra time with two miracles on Caicedo (shy as always in front of goal) and Immobile.
In truth, there is still time in recovery for a maxi chance on Lautaro's feet, who however shoots around the corner after a great save by Strakosha.
In the first extra half, Inter recriminated for an alleged penalty foul by Milinkovic on Icardi, but the referee didn't even consider verifying the circumstance at the Var.
Anything goes in the second additional half. Immobile scores with a shot that slips between the central Inter and slips matter. After that, Lazio manages and seems to be able to bring the result home peacefully, when in the 122nd minute Milinkovic commits an absurd foul on D'ambrosio. Icardi converts the penalty in the 125th minute: penalties.
From the penalty spot it seems that Inter are destined to reverse the outcome of the match, but that's not the case. The penalty save Handanovic only neutralized Dumrisi's shot, while Strakosha said no first to Lautaro, then to Nainggolan, who presented himself on the spot sufficiently and produced a performance that would not fail to arouse controversy among the Nerazzurri fans. To transform the decisive penalty is Lucas Leiva.
The second semi-final of the Italian Cup, after Fiorentina-Atalanta, will therefore be Lazio-Milan.
