Nerazzurri legend Walter Zenga feels that the quality of the performance by Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia final yesterday evening made the victory by Inter Milan all the more special.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, via FCInterNews, the legendary former keeper gave his verdict.
Inter beat Fiorentina by a scoreline of 2-1 yesterday to defend their Coppa Italia crown from last season.
It was not an easy match for the Nerazzurri by any stretch.
No one expected it to be, against a strong Fiorentina team who were playing with the motivation of bringing La Viola their first trophy in 22 years.
Moreover, Vincenzo Italiano’s men had already beaten Inter in the league last month.
Things got even harder for the Nerazzurri when they conceded with less than three minutes played.
However, Inter fought back. They turned it around to go into halftime 2-1 up, and then saw out their advantage in a gritty second half.
Zenga: Fiorentina Played Great, But Inter Did Something Special
Former Inter keeper Zenga reacted by saying that “Wins are always great, and welcome.”
“Specifically in this moment, before two league matches and then the Champions League final, they’re important for morale and confidence,” he continued.
“But it should also be underlined that Fiorentina had a great match,” Zenga went on.
“They played great football for a lot of the match, which only further shows the strength of Inter.
“We sometimes forget that there are always two teams on the pitch. Yesterday Fiorentina played at a very high level, and Inter managed to resist, Handanovic played a key role
“But above all Darmian with that save on the line, makes this victory even more important. And something to encourage the team on to Istanbul.”
Asked about comparisons between Lautaro Martinez and Diego Milito, Zenga said that “Comparisons of players from different eras and vintages are never feasible.”
“Each of these great players had his time, and was best in his own time,” he added. “So comparing one with the other is almost a losing battle.”
“Today is the time of Lautaro, as at the time it was Milito’s moment.”
Zenga also spoke about the performance of Inter captain Samir Handanovic against Fiorentina.
“Handanovic put in a pretty good performance last night,” theformer keeper said. “He had a couple of situations in which he could have done better technically.”
“But that’s part of the goalkeeper’s role.”
“The fact that it may have been his last match lifting a trophy makes me think of a certain Walter Zenga,” Zenga noted, “who played his last match by winning a UEFA Cup at San Siro.”
“At the time I said ‘thank goodness, at least I leave a good memory,'” he looked back. “You’re a lot more willing to say goodbye that way.”
