Turin: The Italian Cup semifinal between Inter Milan and Juventus ended with a mass scuffle and three red cards following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
After Romelu Lukaku converted a penalty in stoppage time to equalise for Inter Tuesday, the Belgium striker picked up his second yellow card for apparently taunting the crowd.
Juan Cuadrado, who had put Juventus ahead in the 83rd, and Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic were also shown red cards as they clashed after the final whistle, with players from both teams then getting involved as they tried to separate the two.
“It’s nothing, just a bit of chaos at the end of a balanced game,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said.
“We knew it would be difficult. Although they were coming off a difficult period, they are still Inter and proved it tonight.”
Lukaku, Cuadrado and Handanovic should all miss the second leg April 26.
Last-place Serie A club Cremonese hosts Fiorentina in the other semifinal Wednesday.
The result didn’t do much to alleviate the crisis at Inter, which has lost three straight matches in Serie A.
The outcome of the semifinal and Inter’s upcoming Champions League quarterfinal against Benfica could be crucial in determining whether Simone Inzaghi stays on as Inter’s coach.
Inter beat Juventus 4-2 after extra time in last year’s final to win its eighth Italian Cup but Juventus has had the upper hand in the derby d’Italia this season, beating Inter twice in Serie A — including a 1-0 victory little more than two weeks ago.
While both teams had a few close chances, the match appeared headed for a 0-0 draw until Cuadrado was left virtually unmarked to score with a long shot in the 83rd minute. The Colombian then celebrated with an intricate dance.
Juventus defender Gleison Bremer was penalized for a handball to set up Inter’s penalty, after which Lukaku held his finger to his lips as if to silence the crowd.
AP
