Lautaro Martinez was the hero for Inter as his two goals ensured they retained the Coppa Italia with a 2-1 win over Fiorentina.
Martinez produced two fine first-half finishes – the first for his 100th Inter goal – as the Nerazzurri rallied after Nicolas Gonzalez’s third-minute opener at a raucous Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.
Vincenzo Italiana’s Viola piled on the pressure after the break, but Inter captain Samir Handanovic made a number of crucial saves, the most impressive of which was to deny Luka Jovic.
That action from Inter’s backline ensured they held on to retain the trophy and with the Champions League final against Manchester City coming up next month, the Nerazzurri are in the hunt for the double.
It was a dream start for Fiorentina. Jonathan Ikone found space and sent in a low cross from the left, allowing his opposite winger Gonzalez to tap in at the far post.
Edin Dzeko missed two chances to equalize for Inter, but just before the half-hour mark his partner-in-crime Martinez stepped up to latch on to Marcel Brozovic’s pass and finish low across the face of the goal.
Martinez doubled his lead just eight minutes later when he volleyed Nicola Barella’s delicate cross past Pietro Terracciano.
Arthur Cabral headed straight at Handanovic from close range before Inter substitute Romelu Lukaku tested Terracciano at the other end.
Handanovic stayed alert to deny Gonzalez a brace of his own from a tight angle, while Robin Gosens somehow failed to push Lukaku’s cross into the gaping net to end the game.
Jovic had two chances to send the game into extra time after entering the fray, but Handanovic thwarted the former Real Madrid striker with a brilliant one-on-one save before following the Serbian’s spin header just wide as Inter claimed their ninth Coppa crown. .
