Juventus thwart Inter comeback to reach final

Juventus ended a remarkable Inter comeback by winning their Italian Cup tie 5-3 on penalties yesterday to set up a final against Milan. Inter, beaten 3-0 in the first leg of the semi-final in Turin, rallied brilliantly to win the return match by the same score with two goals from Marcelo Brozovic and one by Ivan Perisic. Rodrigo Palacio then missed the only spot-kick of the shootout, the forward's effort bouncing back off the bar before Leonardo Bonucci's penalty sent Juve through. A weakened Juve were lethargic and unadventurous and the visitors were punished for their complacency as Inter dominated the second leg. Goalkeeper Neto, standing in for regular Gianluigi Buffon, handed Inter their opening goal when his clearance was charged down by Gary Medel. The Chilean midfielder, nicknamed 'Pit Bull', appeared to barge Hernanes off the ball before playing in Brozovic who finished emphatically on 17 minutes. Adam Ljalic almost reduced Inter's deficit further when he struck the bar but the hosts finally made it 2-0 on the night in the 49th minute when Eder's cross from the right was finished by Perisic. Neto was again at fault for the third goal eight minutes from time as he let...

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