Veteran duo Samir Handanovic and Edin Dzeko have been named as Inter’s two best players in the team’s Coppa Italia semifinal first leg draw against Juventus.
Today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, give the pair 6.5/10 scores, the highest of any Nerazzurri players on the pitch, arguing that both were vital to the 1-1 result.
Captain and goalkeeper Handanovic was not able to keep a clean sheet in his start for Inter yesterday, as the 38-year-old saw Juan Cuadrado’s effort sail past him late in the second half.
However, the Slovenian was hardly at fault as there was little that any keeper would have been able to do to keep the Colombian’s shot out from his position.
Meanwhile, Handanovic played a vital role in the first half of yesterday’s match, keeping Juventus efforts at bay including an Angel Di Maria shot which took a wicked deflection in the first few minutes of the match.
Even though the captain got himself sent off late in the match for a fracas with Cuadrado, Tuttosport still commend his overall display.
Meanwhile, striker Dzeko was not able to get on the scoresheet or, truthfully, making much of an impact in front of goal.
However, from the perspective of Tuttosport, the 37-year-old Bosnian international’s efforts were still key to the Nerazzurri having as much control of the match as they did.
The former Roma and Manchester City man regularly dropped back into midfield, which allowed the Nerazzurri to regularly enjoy a numerical advantage in the central battle.
Dzeko’s usual technical quality and passing ability were on full display as he frequently helped his team move the ball up the pitch.
The Bosnian’s strike partner Lautaro Martinez fared worse, however.
Tuttosport gave the 25-year-old a score of just 5.5/10 for what was a very quiet display by his standards.