Inter Milan takes a scare, but wins in extra time and advances to the Coppa Italia

Inter Milan beat Empoli on Wednesday, 3-2, and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia. In the next phase, the current Italian champions will face Roma or Lecce, who will face off this Thursday, at 17:00 (Brasília time).

After 3 minutes, Argentine Joaquín Correa was injured and left the field in tears, an important loss for Inter. In his place was Chilean Alexis Sánchez.

Acting with a formation of three defenders, the home team based its creation with associations through the midfield. The forwards, especially Lautaro Martínez, were fundamental in this process. They retreated, attracting the opposing mark and generating space on their backs. These spaces were used for the infiltration of the team’s wings, Darmian and Dumfries. Lautaro was very participative and, at different times, helped to build Simone Inzaghi’s team.

In the 13th minute, Dutchman Dumfries drove down the aisle on the right and crossed into the area for Sánchez to head in and open the scoring.

Empoli, on the other hand, was betting on raising its markup line and forcing Inter’s mistake. However, the Nerazzuri managed to escape the pressure and created chances to extend the score. The team’s biggest difficulty was the last pass.

Empoli’s best opportunity in the first half came in the 44th minute, when midfielder Stulac took a free-kick on the edge of the area and the ball went close to the goal defended by Radu.

The visitors returned better in the second half and tied the game in the 16th minute, when the Albanian Bajrami received a cross, dominated from the chest and finished in the corner.

After suffering the draw, Inzaghi made changes and fielded his main players, such as Barella, Perisic and Çalhanoglu. At 27, the referee understood that the ball had touched Dumfries’ hand and gave Empoli a penalty, but, after consulting VAR, the appointment was annulled.

However, a few minutes later, the team came around with the striker Cutrone, who headed in after a cross in the small area.

In stoppage time, defender Ranocchia lived up to Inter’s pressure and, with a volley, tied the game, taking it to extra time.

In extra time, Inter Milan suffocated the opponent, occupying the attack area. At the end of the first half, Italian Stefano Sensi, who had come on for Lautaro Martínez, hit a shot from outside the area and put the home team ahead again.

With no legs to look for the result, Empoli saw Inter control the game and guarantee the comeback and classification.

Sassuolo if he classifies

Earlier, Sassuolo beat Cagilari 1-0, with a goal from Abdou Harroui, and also advanced in the competition. In the quarterfinals, the team will face Juventus, who defeated Sampdoria this Tuesday.