Lazio director admits side are underdogs ahead of Coppa Italia final against Inter
Quick summary
Lazio director Angelo Maria Fabbiani said the club did not expect to reach the Coppa Italia final and acknowledged they are underdogs against Inter. The article frames the final as a major chance for Lazio to rescue their season and qualify for the Europa League.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceLazio director Angelo Maria Fabbiani admits they are the underdogs against Inter in tonight’s Coppa Italia Final. ‘We didn’t even expect it, to be honest.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.
The winner of the 79 th edition of the Coppa Italia will be decided after 90 minutes, or go through extra time and potentially even a penalty shoot-out.
This is an opportunity for Inter to do The Double after the Scudetto, but arguably it matters more for Lazio, who could salvage their season and above all qualify for the Europa League by lifting this trophy.
Lazio underdogs against Inter ROME, ITALY – MAY 09: Petar Sucic of FC Internazionale celebrates a second goal with his team mates during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on May 09, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images) “Being here is important. It gives us the chance to play for a trophy,” Fabbiani told Sport Mediaset.
“The journey towards this Final was remarkable, we probably didn’t even expect it, to be honest. Following the renewal and rejuvenation of the squad, we didn’t expect Motta would take us to the Final with one of the best goalkeeping performances of all time.
“We can dream about a huge surprise, if it doesn’t happen, we can still say we believed.”
Edoardo Motta saved four consecutive penalties in the shoot-out semi-final victory over Atalanta in Bergamo, having only made his Serie A debut a couple of months ago following Ivan Provedel’s injury.
BERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 22: Edoardo Motta of Lazio celebrates after the team’s victory in the penalty shoot out in the Coppa Italia semifinal match between Atalanta BC and SS Lazio at New Balance Arena on April 22, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) These sides met at the Stadio Olimpico at the weekend in Serie A, with Inter running out 3-0 winners and Alessio Romagnoli sent off.
However, unlike their other home games for the last few months, this time the Lazio ultras will be present, having suspended their protest boycott.
“In football, the difference is not just made by money. Investment doesn’t guarantee victory, you need planning, long-term vision, and courage. We are showing all of that,” added Fabbiani.
“Everyone can have their opinions, but I believe we should be seeking out young Italians. Just look at Motta, we picked him up from Reggiana and he made a huge impact.”
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 15: Maurizio Sarri head coach SS Lazio celebrates a victory after the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on March 15, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images) The only previous Coppa Italia Final of Maurizio Sarri’s career was a defeat, when his Juventus lost to Napoli in 2020.
The Lazio coach is suspended following the chaotic semi-final with Atalanta, so his assistant Marco Ianni is on the touchline, but Fabbiani shrugged off suggestions his future is in doubt.
“I realise the fans want everything straight away, but sometimes that is not possible. We had Mandas and sent him to the Premier League, so we thought that sooner or later Motta would have his opportunity.”
Lazio are in their 11 th Coppa Italia Final, having won seven times before, most recently in 2019, and lost three.
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What happened
Ahead of the Coppa Italia final, Lazio director Angelo Maria Fabbiani described Inter as favorites and said Lazio themselves had not expected to make the final. He praised goalkeeper Edoardo Motta, whose penalty shootout heroics against Atalanta helped send Lazio through after Ivan Provedel's injury opened the door for him. The piece also notes Inter beat Lazio 3-0 in Serie A days earlier, while Lazio regain backing from returning ultras for the final. Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri is suspended for the match, with assistant Marco Ianni set to lead from the touchline.
Chance analysis
This matters because it adds context around Lazio's competitive position entering the final: they are publicly framing themselves as underdogs after a recent heavy loss to the same opponent. The most actionable football points are Sarri's suspension, Motta's emergence in goal, and the emotional lift from supporters returning, all of which can affect match preparation and in-game composure more than the rhetoric itself.
The likely effect is a slightly negative pre-match outlook for Lazio overall, tempered by some morale support from returning fans and Motta's recent form.
Treat the quotes as low-weight narrative context, but upgrade the relevance of Sarri's suspension, recent Inter dominance, and Motta's goalkeeper status.