Juventus missed out on an eighth Coppa Italia final in nine seasons after losing 1-0 to Inter in the semi-final second leg at San Siro. The game's only goal arrived after a quarter an hour of play from Federico Dimarco.
The Bianconeri saw plenty of the ball but lacked the creativity to find a way in behind the Inter defence.
In the end Juve bowed out 2-1 on aggregate.
THE MATCH
The 36th Derby d’Italia in Coppa Italia kicked off with both sides being highly attentive, with Juventus sitting deep, perhaps too deep.
As early as the third minute, the home side created the first chance. A cross whipped in from the right was just beyond Lautaro Martinez. Bremer’s timely interception denied a scoring opportunity for Edin Dzeko.
Likewise, 10 minutes later Alex Sandro was well positioned to head clear from Denzel Dumfries lurking at the far post.
However, Inter continued to press and took the lead on 15 minutes. Nicolò Barella played a pass through the heart of the Juve defence for an unmarked Federico Dimarco, who hit a first time shot with the outside of his boot to place the ball beyond Mattia Perin.
Juve’s response came in the shape of a Mattia De Sciglio header that flashed just wide and a Filip Kostić shot, which produced a fine save from Andrè Onana.
The Bianconeri knew something more was needed after the break to keep their cup dreams alive. Arek Milik came on at the restart to add to the attacking options.
And the first signs were positive. Fabio Miretti found himself in space at the edge of the area but couldn’t keep his shot down. A few minutes later Manuel Locatelli hit the target but his shot curled into the arms of Onana.
On 52 minutes Inter had the ball in the net for the second time after Edin Dzeko placed his shot in off the far post. The goal was disallowed due to striker having set off from an offside position. A reprieve for Juve, but the Bianconeri were still struggling to find the guile to break down a well-drilled Inter defence.
In fact, with a one-handed save from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, it was Perin the keeper that was most severely tested in the closing stages of the match.
Even four minutes of time couldn't change the complexion of the game. Juve failed to find the goal to take the game to extra time. At the final whistle, Dimarco’s goal proved enough on the night for Inter.
INTER 1-0 JUVENTUS (HT: 1-0)
Scorers: 15’ Dimarco
INTER: Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella (68′ Brozovic), Calhanoglu (82′ Gagliardini), Mkhitaryan, Dimarco (78′ Gosens); Dzeko (68′ Lukaku), Lautaro Martinez (78′ Correa). Subs not used: Cordaz, Botis, De Vrij, Bellanova, Asllani, D’Ambrosio, Carboni, Zanotti. Coach: Inzaghi.
JUVENTUS: Perin; Bremer, Bonucci (68′ Danilo), Alex Sandro; De Sciglio, Miretti (79′ Pogba), Locatelli (62′ Paredes), Rabiot, Kostic (46′ Milik); Di Maria, Chiesa. Subs not used: Szczęsny, Pinsoglio, Gatti, Rugani, Fagioli, Soulé, Iling-Junior. Coach: Allegri.
Referee: Doveri
BOOKINGS: 58′ Locatelli, 90’+2′ Mkhitaryan