‘We deserved to be in the final’ – Simone Inzaghi praises his Inter Milan side after Coppa Italia win over Juventus

Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi says his side deserve to be in the Coppa Italia final after beating Juventus to earn a place in the competition’s showpiece event at the Stadio Olimpico.

Having played out a dramatic 1-1 draw in the first leg, Federico Dimarco’s 15th-minute strike was enough to send the Nerazzurri to the final in the thrilling, end-to-end contest.

Inzaghi’s side look to have turned a corner in the latter stages of the campaign, and they could yet end a troubled season with more silverware in their coffers, having won the Supercoppa Italiana in January.

Inter have reached the Coppa Italia Final for the second year in a row and have every chance of defending their crown, having beaten Juventus in extra time to lift the trophy last season.

“Beautiful evening – the two teams played an intense game – we deserved the final in this double clash,” Inzaghi told reporters in his post-match interview (via Pazzidifanta).

“We are very happy – we wanted to return to Rome at all costs. We had ten games at the end – there are ten left, but let’s hope one will be added.”

Inter are struggling in the Serie A top-four race, and Juventus having their 15-point deduction suspended has pushed them further down the league standings.

They now sit in sixth place but just two points behind AS Roma and local rivals AC Milan and could yet finish in the Champions League places if they can maintain their recent form.

Inter have posted victories in three of their last five games in all competitions, drawing one and losing the other while also winning consecutive games for the first time since February.

They have now reached the Coppa Italia final, where they will face either Fiorentina or relegation-battling Cremonese for a chance to retain their crown.

Inzaghi’s side will welcome second-placed Lazio to San Siro Stadium next weekend, and a positive result will be crucial to their top-four hopes.