MATCH REPORT: INTER 1-2 JUVENTUS

The first leg of the semi- final goes to Juventus in the Coppa Italia vs Inter Milan. Cristiano Ronaldo with the brace and the Old Lady have the upper hand, heading to Turin next Tuesday, with a chance to advance to the Finals , on their 2-1 aggregate win.

Inter took the lead with a well-worked team move, as Nicolò Barella got down the right and squared the pass for Lautaro Martinez, who managed to get in front of Matthijs de Ligt to squirm the finish under Gigi Buffon. It was the perfect way for the striker to celebrate becoming a father with the birth of Nina just yesterday.

Juventus were awarded a penalty following a VAR on-field review for a slight Ashley Young tug on Juan Cuadrado’s arm, but the Federico Bernardeschi cross was already going a long way off target, as well as it being minimal contact. Cristiano Ronaldo converted by blasting into the roof of the net.

Inter then gifted the second goal to the Bianconeri with a double howler. Alessandro Bastoni and Samir Handanovic did not communicate, the goalkeeper came outside the box, but Cristiano Ronaldo pounced on the defender to steal the ball and place a snooker shot in off the inside of the far post of the empty net.

Arturo Vidal was booked, partly for the tackle on Ronaldo and partly shouting at the referee, so he will be suspended for the second leg.

Young’s effort was fingertipped over and a deflected Bernardeschi strike was pushed round the near post, but when Rodrigo Bentancur and the Juve defence almost replicated the earlier Inter howler, Alexis Sanchez was denied by a Merih Demiral goal-line clearance.

It was Buffon’s 1,100th professional game at club and international level and his first as a 43-year-old, yet he made a sensational save to parry from Matteo Darmian one-on-one.

Barella also turned a scissor-kick volley just wide, and Christian Eriksen couldn’t make the most of yet another error in the Juve final third.

Alexis Sanchez was booked in stoppages for a lunge on Federico Chiesa and he too will be suspended for the second leg.

This win shows that Juventus can play with Inter, and are very resilient in games this season. When they control the possession their chances increase immensely. And of course CR7 scoring doesn't hurt either.