© EuroFootball.com
After playing the return matches of the semi-finals of the Italian Cup, the finalists were determined - they became the "Inter" and "Roma" clubs, who won their opponents in fierce second matches after drawing in the first matches and moved on to the final, which will take place on June 2 and 15.
3 - 1
(First match 1-1, aggregate score 4-2)
24' [1 - 0] Christian Vieri
59' [2 - 0] Christian Vieri
64' [2 - 1] Diego Lopez
90' [3 - 1] Obafemi Martins
In the first half, the hosts dominated, and in the 24th minute C. Vieri took them ahead, while the visitors' goalkeeper had a lot of work and kept off shots from J. Veron, S. Mihajlovic, and G. Karagounis. On the other side of the field, G. Zola had a dangerous attempt.
After the break, the landscape on the field did not change - "Inter" had the initiative, and although O. Martins and Karagounis failed to score, C. Vieri did it again, sending the ball into the net on his second attempt.
However, six minutes after the second goal, the intrigue revived when D. Lopez narrowed the gap with a header. The "Cagliari" team needed another goal, so the end of the match was tense, as the Sardinians did not give up and fought until the end, but in the final minute Martins secured the victory for the Milan club.
So, after a five-year break, the Milan team reached the cup final and will aim to win their first trophy in Italy since 1989 when they won the league. In total, "Inter" has won the Italian Cup three times, with the last time being in 1982 when they defeated "Torino" in the final.
1 - 2
(First match 1-1, aggregate 2-3)
21' [0 - 1] Amantino Mancini
57' [1 - 1] Antonio Di Natale
80' [1 - 2] Francesco Totti
"Udinese" were considered favorites in this match, as unlike their opponents, the "Roma" footballers had a great season and aim to play in the Champions League tournament next year. Meanwhile, the capital team had not won a game for over two months and is fighting to avoid relegation in Serie A.
The hosts sent the ball towards the goal in the second minute, but the goal was disallowed due to offside, and later "Udinese" threatened the visitors' goal several times, but either missed the target or their goalkeeper G. Curci saved their goal.
The successful performance of the goalkeeper was of special importance, as "Roma" got an opportunity to attack and broke through when after a pass from L. Cufre, Brazilian A. Mancini scored with a precise header - thus the guests unexpectedly scored an important away goal.
In the second half, "Udinese" coach L. Spaletti strengthened the attack, and his decision paid off - in the 57th minute A. Di Natale scored with a shot from about six meters. "Roma" had opportunities to counterattack, but their goal was successfully defended by Handanovic.
The main episode of the match occurred with ten minutes left until the end of the second half - Mancini received a pass from V. Montella, and the goalkeeper from Slovenia had to bring down the opponent in the penalty area. A penalty kick was awarded, and although Handanovic saved F. Totti's attempt, the "Roma" captain repeated the shot and scored the winning goal.
Shortly after, Totti's penalty shot flew just past the post, and at the start of extra time, D. Pizarro also received a red card, but it did not have a greater impact on the match outcome. "Roma" at least temporarily halted their crisis and by earning a place in the final also secured a ticket to the UEFA Cup tournament next year.
