Napoli will meet Juventus in the Coppa Italia final after they got rid of Inter Milan in the semi-final second leg match at San Paolo on Saturday (13/6).
Napoli drew 1-1 against Inter Milan while making them superior 2-1 on aggregate because they have a 1-0 victory at Inter headquarters in the first leg.
From the course of the match, Inter Milan managed to surprise Napoli through Christian Eriksen’s goal in the second minute. Eriksen’s goal came directly from the execution of the corner kick.
Eriksen unleashed a ball towards Romelu Lukaku and other Inter players but no one was able to welcome the pass. Despite failing to be met, Eriksen’s ball curves towards the goal.
Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina was shocked by the arrival of the ball and failed to keep the ball from sliding into the goal.
After winning through a quick goal, Inter performed better than Napoli in the first round. In total Inter fired nine shots, five of which were right on target.
One of Inter’s best opportunities was when Romelu Lukaku headed the ball but was denied by Ospina.
While trying to find the second goal, Inter were actually surprised by a goal from Dries Mertens. Napoli counter-attack could not dammed by Inter which led to Mertens’ goal. Mertens’ goal was Napoli’s only shot on target in the first half.
The match in the second half was more difficult for Inter. Napoli are more focused in defense and try to maintain a 1-1 draw that will lead them to qualify for the finals.
Gennaro Gatusso’s squad put almost seven players around the penalty area so Lukaku and his friends did not easily pose a dangerous threat to the Napoli goal.
Because of the difficulty in dismantling the Napoli defense, Antonio Conte decided to include Cristiano Biraghi, Alexis Sanchez and Victor Moses in the 72nd minute.
Three minutes later, Moses gave Sanchez a pass. The Chilean fired hard but the ball was still sideways on the right side of the goal.
Inter Milan’s best opportunity then came back in the 82nd minute. Lukaku’s collaboration with Biraghi made the ball successfully received by Sanchez. Sanchez then unleashed a heel towards Eriksen who came from the second line.
Eriksen fired hard but could be dammed by Ospina very well. Wild ball fell to Moses’ feet but Moses wasted the opportunity because his shot soared above the goal.
Inter Milan continue to try to suppress the Napoli defense until injury time. But the score remained 1-1 and Napoli qualified for the Coppa Italia final.
