Inter-Lazio 2-0, (super) Arnautovic and Calhanoglu: it will be a derby in the semi-final

Milan, February 25, 2025 – It’s not the usual Inter. It’s the Inter of the co-starters, as Inzaghi likes to call them. The form changes, not the substance: 2-0 against Lazio, Coppa Italia semi-final achieved. Not without suffering, especially until Arnautovic’s euro-goal. Then, in fact, management. And now, focus on the big match in the league against Napoli. Inzaghi, thinking about the San Paolo, revolutionizes the team after the 1-0 against Genoa . Only two starters on the pitch, in practice: Pavard and Dimarco. All the others on the bench, with the exception of the injured Thuram (he’ll be there next time) and Sommer, as well as Carlos Augusto and Zalewski. Definitely more starters for Baroni. And consequently more Lazio at the start. Phlegmatic black and blue ball movement, in fact: lots of touches, few bubbles at the point. While the Biancocelesti light up with Dia (blocked by Bisseck) and Isaksen (Josep Martinez did well). Darmian's problem, then: at a time when the wingers are not abundant, forced substitution (strain in the right thigh flexors). Bad moment: 0-7 the shot count for Lazio. Eloquent numbers. But one is enough for Inter. From the cinema library and signed by Arnautovic who, moments before, seemed about to leave after being on the ground for a long time. No way, a left-footed volley on a rebound from a corner by Dimarco. San Siro, which had already applauded him before for his grit in pressing and recoveries, this time comes down. And Lautaro is among the first to run to hug him. The fans, meanwhile, already feel the derby atmosphere: "Whoever doesn't jump is Rossonero...". Other derbies in sight: 2-3 April first leg of the semi-final, 23-24 return leg. Inzaghi, in this regard, had been clear in the pre-match: "That is our objective, the semi-final". And on the marriage to be extended, the coach thanks Marotta and Ausilio for their esteem: "I feel very good here, great harmony between everyone. There are results to be achieved, everything is at stake". In the second half, Baroni's team tries to bite the match, but what emerges are the Inzaghi mechanisms: not very well-oiled as always, but they work very well. Especially when Zielinski stops looking at himself and concretely shows off his technique, to say the least, superfine. Bad, on the other hand, Taremi: disconnected from the team, impalpable up front, to say the least imprecise for the rest. Correa then takes care of setting up the table for the encore: ball in by Bisseck, flash extinguished by Gigot's foul. Calhanoglu is on the spot, a guarantee: 2-0. There will be time for the semifinal, the fourth and fifth derby of the season (two Rossoneri victories and a draw, so far). On Sunday, at the San Paolo, there is a championship to attack.