Five Key Battles in Lazio vs Inter Milan: Can Marusic Thwart Dimarco? | OneFootball

On Wednesday evening, Lazio and Inter Milan will meet again at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, but this time, with the Coppa Italia at stake. The Biancocelesti will have the opportunity to end their most complicated campaign in recent memory with some silverware, while the Nerazzurri are eyeing their first domestic double since 2010.

The experienced Maurizio Sarri will be embroiled in a compelling tactical battle with his younger compatriot, Cristian Chivu. Nonetheless, the outcome will eventually be decided by the two sets of players on the pitch and all the enticing duels that will ensue.

So here are five key battles we expect to take place in the Coppa Italia final, at least based on the expected starting lineups of Lazio and Inter Milan.

Mario Gila vs Lautaro Martinez

The first battle will pit the league’s top goalscorer and arguably biggest star in Serie A against one of the finest defenders on Italian soil. Interestingly, two Spanish-speaking stars also share the same agent, Alejandro Camano.

Lautaro Martinez prevailed in Saturday’s dress rehearsal, as he managed to score on the half volley, but Mario Gila is expected to shake off the rust to deliver a better display, even though stopping the Argentine striker remains a daunting task.

Adam Marusic vs Federico Dimarco

Due to his limited attacking contribution, Adam Marusic isn’t necessarily a fan favorite at Lazio. Nevertheless, he’s a player who has always been appreciated by his coaches, especially Sarri, mainly due to his defensive discipline.

This attribute should come in handy against Federico Dimarco, who has been virtually unstoppable this season. Chivu has given the wing-back a free license to push forward, and the latter responded by producing seven goals and 18 assists in all competitions thus far.

So it remains to be seen if Marusic will be able to block the Italian’s ravaging runs down the left flank and limit his impact.

Nuno Tavares vs Denzel Dumfries

We move from one flank to the other. While the previous one is expected to be a one-way traffic, this one should play out more evenly, with both players trotting up and down the lane.

In the past, Denzel Dumfries had always prevailed over Nuno Tavares — most famously in Inter’s 6-0 demolition job in December 2024. However, Sarri has recently launched a new and improved version of the Portuguese left-back. The former Arsenal star has been vastly more efficient at the back, so it will be interesting to see how he’ll fare against one of the best wing-backs in the league.

Kenneth Taylor vs Nicolo Barella

Nicolo Barella hasn’t enjoyed his best campaign, but he is still universally identified as one of the best midfielders in the country. In fact, many would argue that the Sardinian is the best box-to-box midfielder in Serie A, so it will be interesting to see him lock horns with a younger counterpart who might one day become the new blueprint for this particular role.

The former Ajax star only joined Lazio in January, and he was rested at the weekend. Therefore, this will be his first duel against Barella.

Gustav Isaksen vs Alessandro Bastoni

This season, Lazio’s most important key to victory has been their counterattacks, especially when playing against the big boys. Gustav Isaksen will have a crucial role to play in this regard. He will have to try to slip behind Alessandro Bastoni, who tends to leave space behind him, and use his superior pace to find himself in front of goal.

It will be up to the Danes’ teammates to feed him with vertical passes, but he’ll have to play his part by capitalizing on every chance, as one wasted opportunity against the Italian champions could torch Lazio’s entire campaign.