Inter Milan captain Samir Handanovic got off to a shaky start but redeemed himself in the second half against Fiorentina.
This is the view in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who argue that the Coppa Italia final was something of a game of two halves for the Nerazzurri captain.
As expected, Handanovic got the nod in goal during yesterday’s Coppa Italia final against Fiorentina.
Despite Andre Onana having cemented himself as first-choice this season, Handanovic got the nod ahead of the 27-year-old. The Slovenian didn’t only start due to sentimental reasons, though.
Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi still believed that his captain has something to contribution, and wanted to give him the chance to shine with silverware on the line.
In this sense, Handanovic did not get to the best of starts. The 38-year-old was hardly the first player at fault for Fiorentina’s very early opener. Nico Gonzalez shot did look save-able though.
Therefore, there was also a sense that Onana would have stood a better chance. The Cameroonian’s agility means that he is often quick to react on a dime to efforts like Gonzalez’s.
Meanwhile, Handanovic looked a bit hapless at his near post as he conceded the Argentine’s shot.
Samir Handanovic Grows Into Second Half Of Inter Vs Fiorentina
However, as the match wore on, Handanovic looked more and more comfortable in goal.
Nowhere was this more evident than in the save that he made on Viola striker Luka Jovic.
The Serb did very well to chop past Inter defender Stefan de Vrij after a pass from Giacomo Bonaventura.
Jovic got past the Inter defender and went full steam ahead for a one-on-one with Handanovic.
However, despite there being plenty of pace on the Fiorentina striker’s shot, the Nerazzurri captain stood firm.
Handanovic showed his reflexes and mental strength to win that duel with Jovic, and otherwise looked like a solid and steady presence throughout a second half when Inter’s penalty area was under a barrage at times.
