24 April 2023
There have been four Coppa Italia semi-finals played between Inter and Juventus and three times it has been at San Siro that the final verdict emerged.
With one success each and two draws, there is a perfect balance so far at the Giuseppe Meazza. However, the situation regarding which of the two teams has qualified is biased in favour of the Lady, who has always made it through the round to feature in the final at the expense of their historical rivals.
BRACE YOURSELF FOR CR7
The last meeting occurred two years ago. Both legs were played behind closed doors due to COVID-19 restrictions. The first leg was held at San Siro and the Nerazzurri got off to a flyer when Lautaro Martinez struck after just nine minutes.
Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up his game, equalising from the penalty spot on 26 minutes. With 10 minutes remaining of the first half, CR7 took advantage of hesitancy in the Inter defence to stroke the ball into an unguarded net.
The second leg finished goalless.
ON A RAZOR'S EDGE
Alvaro Morata leaps for joy during an incredible Inter-Juventus in 2016. The Bianconeri arrived in Milan confident following a 3-0 victory in the first leg. Incredibly Inter won by the same score to take the match to extra time.
In a rain lashed San Siro neither side could find the crucial decider during the 30 minutes of extra time. The finalist would be decided on penalties.
Juve scored five out of five thanks to Barzagli, Zaza, Morata, Pogba and Bonucci, who struck the winner after Rodrgio Palacio had failed to convert.
EX MARKS THE SPOT
Another semi-final decided on penalties happended in 2004. The two teams drew 2-2 both at the Delle Alpi and at San San Siro.
Cup hero that night was Antonio Chimenti, who stopped former Bianconeri striker Christian Vieri's spot kick. Del Piero, Maresca, Nedved, Legrottaglie and Miccoli, meanwhile, were faultless from 12 yards.
TO AND FRO
To reach the final in 1983, which Juventus would eventually win against Verona, a 0-0 draw in Milan was enough after a 2-1 first leg success.
Rino Marchesi was enjoying his one season as Inter coach. The Milanese tactician would take over from Giovanni Trapattoni in the Juventus dugout as Trap bounced between the Lady and Inter.
In the photo, two teammates from the 1982 World Cup winning Italy team battle it out, Gianpiero Marini and Marco Tardelli, who would see out his Serie A career at Inter after 10 years in the black and white stripes, with Aldo Serena going in the opposite direction.
