«I know who has always been there and who hasn’t when I needed it»- Corriere.it

He climbs onto the billboards, spreads his arms, breathes deeply the scream of the North curve. The goal that is worth the final dream of the Champions League could only be del Toro. Lukaku looks for Lautaro, who puts Maignan on the near post. La Lu-La connected again, on the most important night. The captain, maximum and generous leader of a team that has been able to unite in the most difficult moment. In these matches, everything revolves around him, his ability to attack the goal, to put on a fierce face when needed. With Inter we are on goal number 99. “I felt it, I told the boys that we could do it,” says Lautaro hotly, San Siro still hot. He speaks as a world champion: «I experienced it at the World Cup, I tried to pass it on to my teammates. The union of the group brought us here».

The most beautiful signing, however, this time is from Inzaghi. A coach capable of resisting walking on a tightrope, of living every game dangerously, as if it were the last. At the final whistle Simone welcomes the embrace of his collaborators, pats Barella on the back, in tears with emotion, but doesn’t bat an eyelid. He doesn’t smile, he stays calm. The work is not finished yet, there is a final to be played. And he, a cup specialist, knows it well. «It was a long and difficult journey, but the boys believed in it from day one. I’m happy, it’s a goal that was wanted and achieved with many sacrifices – the words of the Inter coach -. I have no pebbles to take off. I know who has always been there, and who wasn’t there in their time of need. I’m proud”.

This Inter, who has reached eight wins in a row in all competitions, is the triumph of his choices. Onana promoted to starter; Mkhitaryan, a man everywhere as long as he holds — in the 44th minute he is forced out due to a muscle strain —; Acerbi, the centre-back who arrived on free loan who cancels Giroud again. There is him, and a polished Darmian, behind the fourth consecutive victory in the derby without conceding goals. «Two finals await us – again Simone, who also talks about the one in the Italian Cup with Fiorentina -. Between City and Real, I have no preferences, we’ll fight for it.”

The vice president also rejoices Zanetti: «It wasn’t easy, a derby in the semifinals. And I, who have lost it, know it well. The biggest compliments go to the coach: he was able to react, spoke little and demonstrated with deeds. Opponent? I would like to avoid Real Madrid, this competition seems tailor-made for them.” Today waiting in front of the TV. Meanwhile, the flight to Istanbul is booked by Inter. A revenge, awaited twenty years, very sweet.