Inter Milan vs. Roma: 5 Things We Learned from the Coppa Italia Semifinal

A game of two halves, if ever there were one. Despite being decimated by injury, Inter looked comfortable and in control for much of the first 45 minutes. Jonathan's well-taken goal after 22 minutes seemed to indicate the game would continue going their way. And then came halftime.

Roma's response was outstanding. They utterly dominated the Nerazzurri in the second half, scoring three times and threatening several more. The Giallorossi looked like a different team after the break, so whatever Aurelio Andreazzoli said obviously worked. 

The result means that Inter now know that their season has been a disaster. Tough questions must be answered and there'll likely be several people not around long enough to answer them.

So what did we learn?

Andrea Stramaccioni Is in Trouble...

Most felt that Andrea Stramaccioni's job was on the line even before the loss to Roma. A club as big as the Beneamata should not be languishing in seventh in Serie A, out of the cup and finished in Europe. 

How long ago seem the halcyon days of 2010 now. Jose Mourinho's Inter were the champions of Europe and the first Italian team to ever win the league, cup, continental treble. In just three short seasons, they've faded to mid-table mediocrity. 

Club owner Massimo Moratti has only recently pledged to support the young Roman coach, but having been beaten so soundly by his former employer, Strama's position is shaky at best.

The patron would be completely within his rights to sack the coach at the end of the season. Many a Serie A manager has gone for less. But there's a feeling here in Italy that despite the poor results, Strama deserves more time. 

When Mourinho left, Inter were at the end of a cycle. An incredibly successful one, granted, but the majority of that team's most influential players were at the end of their career or already thinking of pastures new. 

Strama's presided over a very difficult time and guided the Nerazzurri through stormy waters. The results could have been a lot worse this year. Hopefully Moratti remembers that when he sits down to consider his continued support. 

...While Aurelio Andreazzoli Is in with a Chance of Keeping His Job

Roma have taken two coaching gambles in the last two seasons. The young Luis Enrique was untried and ultimately unable to deal with the pressures of the job. Zdenek Zeman, meanwhile, was Zdenek Zeman. Controversial, stubborn and old-fashioned. Many loved him, plenty of others didn't. 

Ultimately, neither worked out. Now, more than anything what the Giallorossi need are a safe pair of hands at the wheel. Aurelio Andreazzoli might not be A-list in terms of coaching credentials, but he has been at the club a long time and worked closely with Luciano Spalletti—Roma's last successful coach.

It's true that Zeman got them most of the way in the Coppa Italia, but by beating Inter so convincingly in Milan, Andreazzoli has put his own stamp on this cup campaign. And if he can engineer a victory over bitter rivals Lazio in the final next month, he'll put his stamp on the full-time manager's position, too. 

Mattia Destro Is the Real Deal

Hitting the ground running after a long lay off through injury is never easy—especially when you're a young striker short on confidence. Mattia Destro's performance at the San Siro showed that Roma were right to fight off some of Europe's top club's last summer for his signature. 

Despite not having any game time under his belt for quite some time, Destro looked razor sharp against Inter and took both his goals excellently.

The former Inter youngster linked up excellently with his team mates, too. Eric Lamela set up both Destro's strikes and the young pair displayed a comfort and understanding that will have Romanisti everywhere very excited. 

There were some eyebrows raised earlier in the week when Aurelio Andreazzoli said that this would be Destro's game. The 22-year-old has not found the net so easy in his first season with the Lupi, and coming back from injury his inclusion was seen as a gamble. It paid off.

Inter Desperately Need Strength in Depth

Inter's first choice squad is a strong one. No question. Diego Milito, Rodrigo Palacio and Antonio Cassano might not be the youngest strike force in Europe, but they're among the most creative and potent in front of goal. 

The problems begin when those ageing stars are unavailable. Injury has ravaged Strama's side with particular cruelty, but the coach still should have more options at his disposal. 

Against Roma, the Nerazzurri front line looked like that of a team in the bottom half of the table. Tomasso Rocchi, especially, is not Inter quality. He isn't even Lazio quality anymore.

But there are question marks over quite a few members of Inter's squad.

Ezequiel Schelotto was awful throughout the game, and while he shows promise he needs to start delivering when needed. Likewise, Zdravko Kuzmanovic had a torrid time against Roma. The Serbian is a gifted midfielder, but at 25 he can no longer use age as something to hide behind after a poor performance.

If these and those like them are to be the next generation of great Interisti, they need to start acting like it. 

The Final Is Going to Be Truly Special

Commiserations to Inter, but this is the final that most neutrals would want to see. A historic derby ending to what's been an exciting year already in the Coppa Italia. 

Roma and Lazio have never met before in a cup final, so the game scheduled for the end of May in Rome's Stadio Olimpico is going to be truly special. 

It's already one of the fiercest rivalries in world football, but with the extra pressure of silverware, it'll be an emotional night in the Italian capital. 

There's also the question of European qualification. Lazio currently occupy the last Europa League spot—on 51 points and only ahead of their oldest adversaries on head-to-head results.

Whoever lifts the TIM Cup at the Olimpico will be assured of a place in Europe next year, which will be vital to both sides who'll want to improve on this season's campaigns and compete on all fronts.