Inter vs Roma 2-0: Nerazzurri Bounce Back After Shocking Derby Loss

Simone Inzaghi needed to see a reaction from Inter after their shocking loss in the Derby di Milano and their Coppa Italia Quarter Final bout with Roma offered a prompt chance for redeem.

The Nerazzurri got the job done with a lightning-fast opener from Edin Dzeko and a spectacular screamer from Alexis Sanchez to book their place among the Top Four of the domestic cup, where they will face the winner of tomorrow’s Milan – Lazio match-up.

The only bad news for Inzaghi was the injury occurred to Alessandro Bastoni. The Azzurri center back left the pitch limping due to a possible ankle sprain and will most likely miss next week’s crucial Champions League game against Liverpool.

He was the only unhappy man among the Nerazzurri lines while Roma and José Mourinho all left the pitch with gloomy faces. With the train for the fourth place in Serie A pretty much lost, advancing in the Coppa Italia could have been a season-saver for the underwhelming Giallorossi but Roma were soundly outclassed despite Mourinho deploying his best possible lineup.

The Portuguese coach came back to the San Siro to face that Inter side that he led to a historical treble in 2010 for the first time as an opponent. The Nerazzurri fans did not forget that and showered their beloved commander-in-chief with a banner reading “Welcome home, José” among many others. It was a bitter return, though. 

The start was indeed a nightmare for the yellow-and-reds as their former striker Dzeko took only two minutes to draw first blood. Ivan Perisic had already showed in the Derby di Milano that he’s going through a fabulous moment and he confirmed it tonight with an unstoppable progression along the left side culminating with a fine cross for the Bosnian hitman. 

Dzeko was facilitated by Chris Smalling incredibly missing to clear the ball and didn’t think twice about volleying it home to put Inter ahead. Just like all players should do when scoring against their former clubs, he refrained from celebrating.

Nicolò Barella should have made it two just four minutes later but his terrific shot was stopped only by the crossbar. It was a clear sign that the Nerazzurri were totally in control of the operations, as two additional shots before the ten-minute mark proved.

On 44 minutes, Bastoni picked up an injury after a tackle with Nicolò Zaniolo and had to be sustained by two teammates as he left the pitch. He was replaced by Stefan De Vrij.

After a couple of saves from Samir Handanovic, Roma had their clearest chance of the night as Zaniolo received from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and, after outflanking the Inter keeper, lobbed the ball into the untended goal. Milan Skriniar cleared it right on the goal line with a miraculous twisting header. It was a brilliant feat but it wouldn’t have mattered anyway as the offside flag was up.

Inter wrapped the game up on 68 minutes as Sanchez was left with too much space to adjust his aim and fire the ball into the top left corner of the net, leaving no chance to Rui Patricio (or any other goalkeeper, anyway). 

Mourinho tried to pull at least one back introducing additional strikers Stephan El Shaarawy and Felix Afena-Gyan but it was no use. It will be Simone Inzaghi’s Inter to play in the Coppa Italia Semi Finals – perhaps getting another shot at the Derby di Milano if Milan win the second leg of the curious Roma vs. Milano battle that was put together by the Italian cup bracket.

 

MATCH SCORECARD

February 8, 2022 – Coppa Italia 2021-2022 Quarter Finals
INTER – ROMA 2-0

SCORERS: 2′ Dzeko, 68′ Sanchez