Juve-Inter 1-1, goals from Cuadrado and Lukaku from penalties in the first leg of the Italian Cup semi-final

The Italian derby lights up in the last moments after eighty minutes of great tactics. Juan Cuadrado deceives Juventus seven minutes from the ninetieth minute, but in the 50th minute of the second half Romelu Lukaku makes it 1-1 from a penalty (hands by Bremer). A question and answer that ignites spirits, unleashes the brawl on the pitch and leads to the expulsions of the two protagonists and Handanovic. The first of the two Coppa Italia semi-finals ends in a draw: everything postponed to the return match at San Siro scheduled for 26 April.

THE CHOICES

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Start at a slow pace. Allegri relies on the Italian Cup goalkeeper (Perin) and the very titular players, relaunching from the first minute Adrien Rabiot (suspended against Verona), Filip Kostic and the attacking couple Di Maria-Vlahovic. Inzaghi responds with Handanovic in goal, D’Ambrosio in the back trio and a new attack (Dzeko-Lautaro) compared to the league defeat against Fiorentina.

BY MARIA-BROZOVIC

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The first ring is from Angel Di Maria: 4 minutes and the Argentine is close to scoring. Tunnel to Sticks and immediate conclusion, but Handanovic stretches and deflects for a corner. Inter’s response is entrusted first to compatriot Lautaro Martinez, but Toro’s header is weak and out of measure (10′), and then to a free kick from Dimarco (19′). Five minutes later Dzeko tries to solve it on his own, but the Bosnian’s shot is too soft to worry Perin. The Juventus goalkeeper saves Juventus shortly after the half hour on Brozovic’s shot, a sort of penalty in motion. Vlahovic shows up at the end of the first half with a header. No problem for Handanovic.

LUKAKU GELA CUADRADO

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The Serbian also inaugurates the second half, always with a header, but the result is the same. Alessandro Del Piero will take care of warming up the Allianz Stadium, still in the stands like on Saturday against Verona. The sighting of the number 10 spontaneously triggers the chorus “a captain, there is only one captain”. Filip Kostic, author of the San Siro goal before the break, gained confidence and attempted an encore with a left-footed kick from him, which however ended up high. Inter also wakes up: Mkhitaryan (19′ st) nearly takes the lead with a diagonal shot that ends up narrowly wide. Allegri decides to redesign Juventus: inside Federico Chiesa (in place of Di Maria, visibly unhappy with the change) and Fabio Miretti (for Fagioli). Inzaghi responds to the Juventus player’s moves by inserting Lukaku (for Dzeko) and Gosens for Dimarco. For the last twenty minutes Allegri also inserts Milik. And Vlahovic, just like Di Maria, leaves the field shaking his head. The former Marseille, however, takes little time to show off: in the 32nd minute he doesn’t find the winning deflection from just a few steps away.

THE FIGHT

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Hot finish: three minutes later Lukaku gets booked for a late entry on Gatti. The Allianz Stadium heats up and Inzaghi changes again: inside Asslani for Brozovic and Dumfries for D’Ambrosio. When the match seems headed for 0-0, Juan Cuadrado hits (38′ sp). The Colombian surprises Inter on the right, gives Juve the lead with a powerful diagonal and exults with a ballet of his. Game over? Not at all. In the fifth minute of added time, the referee Massa punishes a hand touch in the area by Bremer with a penalty kick. Lukaku shows up on the spot: the Belgian makes it 1-1 and then silences the audience until he gets expelled. And only the beginning of the final brawl, which also continues in the locker room tunnel.