Inter Book Coppa Italia Semi-Final Spot
30 January, 2020
Coppa Italia
Result: Inter Milan 2-1 Fiorentina
Date: 29 January 2020
Venue: San Siro Stadium
Inter Milan progressed to the Coppa Italia semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Fiorentina at the San Siro Stadium on Wednesday evening.
New signing Christian Eriksen started from the bench, as Romelu Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez and Alexis Sanchez started together for the first time this season.
Following three successive draws, Inter almost fell to a fifth minute strike from Pol Lirola who drilled a low shot from the far side right across the far post amidst pressure from Diego Godin.
The Viola frustrated the Nerazzurri, whose front trio struggled to adapt whilst Nicolo Barella opted a long-range drive towards the half-hour mark after battling to get into the area.
Inter were ahead just a minute before halftime when Antonio Candreva - back from suspension - turned home a loose ball from close-range after the visitors failed to clear their lines.
Martinez went close to doubling their lead six minutes after the break, but fired against the side-netting after picking up a pass from Barella.
Against the run of play, the Viola drew level on 60 minutes when a corner found Martin Caceres, who leaped ahead of Martinez to nod into an unguarded net.
Inter nearly let in a second on 65 minutes as a one-two involving Federico Chiesa and Vlahovic brought the best out of Samir Handanovic, who denied the latter with a smart block.
Eriksen was given his debut, a day after arriving from Tottenham Hotspur with Sanchez removed a minute later.
Inter were back in front within minutes after a clearance on the six-yard area landed to Barella, who rifled into the bottom corner.
Eriksen nearly had an assist on debut when he played in Martinez to slot home, but the effort was ruled out for offside though Inter progressed to the last four.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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