Inter defender Federico Dimarco is glad to have gotten a win against Empoli to progress to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster SportMediaset after the match, the 24-year-old emphasized the importance of getting the result no matter what after the Nerazzurri took extra time and a match filled with high drama to overcome their opposition.
Dimarco started his first match for the Nerazzurri since the winter break, and put in a composed display on both sides of the ball in place of Alessandro Bastoni.
On the whole, however, the action around the defender was anything but straightforward, as the Nerazzurri went ahead, surrendered their advantage to a resurgent second half display from Empoli, and equalized late through an acrobatic volley by Andrea Ranocchia.
Substitute Stefano Sensi put the Nerazzurri through with a winner in extra time, and as Dimarco emphasized, booking their place in the next round was the most important thing.
“I feel that every match is unique,” he said. “Today the important thing was to win, whether we needed extra time or not – we are happy to have gotten to the next round and to go on to the quarter-finals.”
He added that “Everyone who plays always gives their best, we’re a great group. Now we shift our focus back to the league.”
