Simone Inzaghi was not surprised that Empoli forced Inter to extra time in the Coppa Italia, assures Stefano Sensi might not join Sampdoria, but Joaquin Correa has ‘quite a serious injury.’
It was far from a comfortable night for the Nerazzurri, who were minutes away from elimination when trailing 2-1 to Empoli at home.
Coppa Italia | Inter 3-2 Empoli aet: Ranocchia and Sensi to the rescue
The Alexis Sanchez opener was overturned by Nedim Bajrami and an unlucky Ionut Radu own goal, but Andrea Ranocchia’s acrobatic volley in stoppages forced extra time.
At that point, substitute Stefano Sensi – who was not meant to be in the squad ahead of a loan move to Sampdoria – scored the winner for 3-2.
“I think we’ve seen almost all the Round of 16 ties have gone to extra time. We knew Empoli were a quality team, we should’ve scored more in the first half and then lost our way a bit after the break,” Inzaghi told Sport Mediaset.
“Conceding the equaliser was a further blow, but we didn’t give up and managed to turn it around.”
Sensi was not even expected to be at San Siro tonight, yet came off the bench and scored the winner. Is he going to Sampdoria on loan?
“Stefano deserved this evening, because he’s had very little space this season, but always trained hard. As long as he wears the Inter jersey, I will keep him in mind. If he stays, I’m more than happy to keep him, but he has to make some evaluations and decisions.
“We talked a lot, he’s a very intelligent guy and I am glad he scored the winner tonight. As long as he wears the Inter jersey, I am holding on tight to Stefano Sensi.”
Alexis Sanchez came off the bench within four minutes and was on target again, this time with a header. Should the Chile international get more playing time?
“I think Sanchez is a great player who started four of the last six and came off the bench in the other two, so he’s getting playing time and earning that with his performances.”
There was drama too, as in the opening couple of minutes Joaquin Correa went off in tears clutching his hamstring after Simone Romagnoli clambered all over him.
That might’ve also not been helped by the state of the San Siro pitch, which was very patchy and seemed to have visible holes.
“Both Inter and Milan have had this problem for well over a month and something has to be done, because it’s not a good turf. Empoli were penalised too this evening, because they play the ball to feet with quick passes.
“We really could’ve done without the Correa injury, because he had just returned and was ready to contribute, but it seems like quite a serious injury.”
Alexis Sanchez is on the scoresheet for Inter once again! 🔥
A nice header from the little Chilean to open the scoring 🔵⚫ pic.twitter.com/G9JKcpTFYo
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) January 19, 2022
Hopefully he’s not holding onto Sensi’s hamstring too tight, else he’s gonna be back on the injury table lol
We`ve been almost elimintated from the tournament and Vecino somehow made 2 mistakes in the same phase! First he stupidly lost the ball at the centre of the field, then he ran back but failed to defend and they scored. No wonder nobody wants to take him in January, this guy is a constant liability. Whenever he steps on the pitch, it feels like we are playing 1 man down or worse – because he always loses the ball, sabotaging our attacks.
Inter should terminate Vecino`s contract only based on his match performance against Empoli in Coppa!
funny, how they always revoke the penalties from inter rivals. IF this would happpen during a juve game u would hear all the crying inter fans
Get a life SaMY…
Could tell u the same.. Truth hurts bro.
Funny how people forget Vecino was of absolute value when we were just getting back among the bunch after years of European humiliation in Europa League or worse. The same people calling Ranocchia a legend yesterday, did the same back then for Vecino. How on earth could he shine on the pitch failing to be fielded the last seasons? Terminate yourself.
And revoked penalty? Juve would hire the same criminal hooligans they banned from their stadium to terrorise the Lega or refereeing department if thàt alledged penalty would’ve stood. So indeed, get a life and see things in a truthful scope.