Italian journalist Matteo Marani discussed Inter’s 1-1 Coppa Italia semi-final draw against Napoli last night in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sports Italia.
“It’s true that Inter played better yesterday and perhaps deserved the result, but they were influenced by the first match in which Napoli had a good and convincing performance. I think Napoli, as an advantage, had the fact that it became a temperamental game thanks to Gattuso.”
He moved onto talking about how Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina kept the Partenopei in the game and how the Naples based club’s decision to play defensive paid off.
“Yesterday was a game that risked taking a different path, but it was good to suffer and hold. Ospina was the best on the pitch but the team managed to make the most of their opportunity, especially in the second half due to the drop by Inter.”
Finally, Marani talked about how Inter started incredibly well in the first half but failed to carry over that strong performance to the second half.
“Conte’s team started very strong in the first half, then it was clear that in the second half they had to drop somewhere, and they dropped from a physical and athletic point of view because they started very strong and fast. Yesterday’s first half was perhaps Inter’s best half so far this season.”
Inter coach Antonio Conte will be disappointed after last night’s elimination from the Coppa Italia, as the Lecce born coach was hoping to win the competition to bring some silverware to Milan in his first season in charge of the Nerazzurri. The former Juventus and Chelsea boss has never won the Coppa Italia as a coach and will have to wait until next season before trying again. The Nerazzurri’s next game will be against Sampdoria next weekend.
