Mauro Icardi: Inter Milan's display vs. Juventus has silenced the critics

Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi believes his side's performance in the Coppa Italia against Juventus on Wednesday was the perfect answer to critics.

The Nerazzurri reversed a 3-0 deficit from the first leg of their semifinal tie with Juve, only to miss out on a place in the final after suffering defeat on penalties.

Despite Inter's elimination from the competition, Icardi, 23, said that their display against the Serie A leaders should silence a few people.

"Just think there are still people who think that this team does not have any balls," Icardi wrote under a picture of the entire Inter squad on Instagram. "Compliments to everybody. There are no words to describe an evening like it.

"We fought and played an unforgettable game and we were one step away from making history. We knew it would not be easy to overturn a 3-0 defeat, but like I said right from day one THIS IS AN AMAZING GROUP and we saw that today on the field."

Complimenti a tutti, non ci sono parole per descrivere una serata del genere, abbiamo lottato, abbiamo fatto una partita indimenticabile e siamo rimasti a un passo di fare Storia. Sapevamo che non era facile ribaltare un 3-0 ma come ho detto dal primo Giorno, QUESTO È UN GRANDISSIMO GRUPPO, ed oggi si ha visto sul campo.. E pensare che ancora c'è gente che pensa che questa Squadra non ha le Palle���� #ForzaInter #amala #MI9 ��⚫️⚽️

A photo posted by Mauro Icardi (@mauroicardi) on

Mar 2, 2016 at 3:41pm PST

Defeats to Fiorentina and Juve in Serie A have seen Inter drop off the pace and their city rivals AC Milan close to within a point of them in fifth -- the last position guaranteeing qualification for the Europa League next season.

They are five points behind third-placed Roma, in a position which would grant Champions League football next term, and defender Miranda sees no reason why that gap cannot be bridged between now and the end of the season.

"Yes, we're still in the hunt [for third]," he told Inter's official website. "It's tough but we can do it. Yesterday we showed we can compete. We're not afraid of anyone -- we need to play with pride and courage and be clinical, just like we were yesterday.

"We have to go for it -- there's not long left and I believe we can do it. If we can play like that against Juventus then we can do it against anyone. All of us need to be on top form."

Inter host Palermo on Sunday night, by which time Milan may already have overtaken them in the standings, but Miranda is confident they will be back on course come the final whistle.

"I hope we play like we did yesterday -- with the same edge and organisation," he said. "If we play like that we can definitely win."