Internazionale advanced to the Coppa Italia final on Tuesday night after overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Como 3-2 in the semi-final second leg at the San Siro in Milan, winning the tie on aggregate after a goalless draw in the first leg. Veteran midfielder Hakan Çalhanoglu was the driving force behind the turnaround, scoring twice in the closing stages to send the Milanese giants through.
Como, a club from the northern Italian city of the same name on the shores of Lake Como, had looked well capable of causing an upset. Managed by former Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, the well-organised side — backed by a major Indonesian conglomerate and enjoying an impressive debut Serie A season — played with confidence and attacking intent. Martin Baturina broke the deadlock after 32 minutes, finishing from close range via the far post following a clever pass from young Argentine playmaker Nico Paz. Lucas Da Cunha doubled the lead three minutes after half-time, punishing an Inter error to make it 2-0.
For an hour, Como's disciplined defensive structure held firm, but the tie turned when Çalhanoglu collected the ball outside the area, turned, and fired home in the 69th minute, with his shot deflecting in off a defender. The Turkish international had also been instrumental in Inter's comeback in last week's Serie A encounter at Como, and the visitors appeared unnerved by the mounting pressure. Çalhanoglu headed home a precise equaliser in the 86th minute, and substitute Petar Sucic completed the turnaround three minutes later to send the home crowd into raptures.
Internazionale's path to the final mirrors a pattern that has defined their season — resilient, late-game quality when the stakes are highest. The club also remains firmly in contention for the Serie A title. Dutch international Denzel Dumfries started on the bench but came on in the closing minutes.
The Coppa Italia final will be held on Wednesday 14 May at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Inter's opponents will be determined on Wednesday, when Atalanta and Lazio meet in Bergamo for the second leg of their semi-final, following a 2-2 draw in the first encounter. The winner will face Inter in what promises to be a compelling conclusion to Italy's premier domestic cup competition.