Defeating Fiorentina 2-1 in the final thanks to a brace from Lautaro Martinez, Inter won the Italian Cup for the second time in a row.
Early in the game, Inter still proved the bravery of the team that reached the Champions League final 2023. Striker Lautaro Martinez shone with a brace to help the home team win 2-1 in the final on the evening of May 24. Inter won the Italian Cup for the ninth time, equaling AS Roma's achievement and only behind Juventus.
Striker Lautaro Martinez celebrates scoring in Inter's 2-1 win over Fiorentina in the Italian Cup final at the Olimpico stadium in Rome on the evening of May 24, 5.
Inter and Fiorentina are the two representatives of Italian football playing two finals this season, and this is their first match. If Fiorentina still meets West Ham in the Conference League final on June 7, Inter will play Man City in the Champions League final three days later.
At the Olimpico Stadium, Rome, both teams launched the strongest possible squad to decide to win the Italian Cup final, although coach Simone Inzaghi used veteran goalkeeper Samir Handanovic instead of Andre Onana. This decision was unexpected when Onana was the current Inter's number one goalkeeper, and Handanovic was past his peak.
Fiorentina opened the scoring in the third minute from a counter-attack. Left midfielder Jonathan Ikone passed the ball through the Inter defender's legs to the second column for Nicolas Gonzalez to cushion the close-range and hit Handanovic into the net. Vincenzo Italiano's side got off to a dream start, in the season they reached both finals.
However, Inter, with better strength, quickly led back thanks to a double from Lautaro Martinez. In the 29th minute, midfielder Marcelo Brozovic received the ball in the middle and had plenty of time to poke a slot for Martinez to plunge into the penalty area and hit the corner to equalize. 1,95 m tall central defender Nikola Milenkovic stood too deep and damaged Fiorentina's offside trap in this situation, helping Martinez to receive 100 for Inter.
The second goal is more difficult to blame the Fiorentina defense, when Inter attacked effectively. From Nicolo Barella's cross, Martinez rushed in with lightning speed to volley from close range to knock out goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano for the second time.
Fiorentina missed two good chances to send the game into extra time, when striker Luka Jovic headed out into the good position, then Arthur Cabral's shot was cleared by Matteo Darmian on the goal line.
Fiorentina will have to put all their energy into the remaining final against West Ham, as they have no goals in Serie A. Inter still need more points to secure a place in the Top 4, before being given a week off for the match. biggest club season.
According to VNE
