Coppa Italia 2011: Eto’o leads Inter to final win

In the 2011 final of the Coppa Italia, the national cup competition, Inter defeated Palermo (3-1) led by a superb Eto’o who scored the 2 initial goal and handed its team a win against an opponent that played better football but failed to find the net until the end of the match. This is the first title won by the Inter team (photo) coached by Leonardo and puts an end to a fairly disappointing season (both in Serie A and Champions League) despite winning the FIFA Club world cup earlier with Benitez who struggled to connect with its new club.

Coppa Italia 2010: Inter wins cup final

Inter won its 6th Coppa Italia, the national cup competition defeating Roma (1-0) on its home turf thanks to a goal scored by Milito (Inter’s prolific top scorer) at the end of the first half. In a very nervous match between these top 2 performing clubs divided by deep rivalry, it was Mourinho’s team (photo) that celebrated in the end. Inter won by controlling the match while Ranieri’s Roma was rarely dangerous, appearing frustrated and unable to repeat the recent win against Inter in Serie A. In the semifinals Inter had eliminated Fiorentina while Roma had defeated Udinese.

Coppa Italia 2009: Lazio wins Cup final

After several seasons of finals played exclusively by Roma and Inter, this year both exited early allowing two mid-tier clubs to contest the national cup break this annoying oligopoly. Lazio and Sampdoria rewarded the honor by playing an exciting final so well balanced to the end that it had to be resolved on penalty. Lazio took the early lead with Zarate but Sampdoria inspired by Cassano’s talent was able to tie the match with Pazzini. In the end however it was 2 mistakes of Sampdoria’s players from penalty spot that allowed Lazio’s team (photo) coached by Rossi to celebrate the victory (7-6 with penalties) and capture the Coppa Italia trophy.

Coppa Italia 2009: Lazio and Sampdoria finalists

In surprise results, Lazio and Sampdoria eliminated in the semifinals favorites Juventus and Inter and will now contest this year Coppa Italia in an interesting final match next month. Lazio beat Juventus in Turin (1-2) led by Zarate while Sampdoria qualified on aggregate (3-1) despite losing in Milan to Inter which had been a finalist for the last 3 consecutive cup edition.

Coppa Italia 2008: Roma wins 9th cup

In the final of the Coppa Italia, Roma beat Inter (2-1) and clinched its 9th cup win vindicating the loss of national title to Inter. Although Inter missed several key players, the match was dominated by Roma which found the leading goal with Mexes and doubled the lead in the second half with Perrotta to seal the cup victory for the second consecutive year.