Inter Milan Faces Lazio in Coppa Italia Quarter-Finals Showdown

ROME, Italy – February 25, 2025 – Inter Milan is set to face Lazio in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, kicking off at 21:00 CET. As both teams vie for a spot in the semi-finals, injuries plague Inter, complicating an already intense rivalry.

Simone Inzaghi, the coach of Inter Milan, has been grappling with a growing injury list that includes Carlos Augusto, Davide Frattesi, Yann Sommer, and Nicola Zalewski. Meanwhile, Marcus Thuram, Joaquin Correa, and Carlos Augusto remain uncertain for the clash against Lazio. “In moments like these, depth becomes crucial,” Inzaghi said. “I have faith in our players to step up.”

Despite these setbacks, Inter is expected to field a strong lineup. Josep Martinez will start in goal, supported by a defense that features Benjamin Pavard, Stefan de Vrij, and Yann Bisseck. Wingbacks Matteo Darmian and Federico Dimarco will patrol the flanks, while a midfield trio of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Kristjan Asllani, and Piotr Zielinski aims to control the game. The attacking duo of Mehdi Taremi and Marko Arnautovic is set to take the lead in scoring.

Conversely, Lazio faces its own challenges, missing key players such as Valentin Castellanos, Elseid Hysaj, Patric, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. However, they will welcome Luca Pellegrini, who is poised to make his first start of the season, and Nicolo Rovella returns from suspension. Head coach Maurizio Sarri emphasized the importance of this match: “Every game is vital, but there’s something special about a cup match against Inter.”

Lazio’s expected formation includes Christos Mandas in goal, with a defense comprising Manuel Lazzari, Mario Gila, Samuel Gigot, and Pellegrini. Midfield will feature Matteo Guendouzi and Rovella, while the attacking trio of Gustav Isaksen, Boulaye Dia, and Mattia Zaccagni seeks to support striker Loum Tchaouna.

This match marks a critical point in both teams’ seasons. Inter, after a recent draw in the Milan derby and a defeat to Juventus, aims to regain momentum. They remain in contention for another Scudetto title but face tough competition. Meanwhile, Lazio looks to leverage their solid cup performance history, having recently advanced in the Europa League.

The stakes are high as the winner of this quarter-final will face city rivals AC Milan in the next round. Inzaghi, who holds a storied legacy at Lazio, knows the weight of the rivalry, stating, “This match will not only determine our path in the cup but also give us a psychological advantage in the league.”