European roundup: Inter power past Milan to reach Coppa Italia final

Lautaro Martínez grabbed a first-half double as Internazionale overcame rivals Milan with a 3-0 second-leg and aggregate victory at San Siro.

After a goalless draw in the first leg, Inter went ahead after just four minutes here when Martínez smartly turned in Matteo Darmian’s cross at the near post. Milan rallied and Inter keeper Samir Handanovic was forced into fine saves to deny Rafael Leão and Alexis Saelemaekers. The Rossoneri were left to rue those missed chances as Inter doubled their lead five minutes before the interval.

It was Argentina forward Martínez on target again, slotting the ball home after being played in by his compatriot Joaquín Correa. Ismaël Bennacer’s 68th-minute strike for Milan was ruled out for offside, before substitute Robin Gosens sealed the win for Simone Inzaghi’s side.

“I am happy because we are playing another final,” said Martínez, who has endured a difficult season but was picked by Inzaghi ahead of Edin Dzeko for Tuesday’s match. “There are things said that I don’t like, but I defend this jersey. The club put a lot of faith in me and I try to repay them on the pitch.”

The result is a psychological blow for Milan, currently two points clear of a resurgent Inter in the title race. “I don’t think the performance was worthy of a 3-0 but Inter scored at the right times,” said the Milan head coach, Stefano Pioli. “We didn’t lack for effort, intensity or chances but it wasn’t our night.”

Inter are one step closer to their first Coppa Italia triumph since 2011, and will face either Juventus or Fiorentina in the final. Juve are 1-0 up after the first leg of their semi-final, with the second leg taking place in Turin on Wednesday.

Freiburg struck three times in the first half to win 3-1 at