On Sunday in the first Italian Cup final match at the Rome Olympic Stadium, victory was celebrated by Milan's "Inter" club, who are now one step away from the trophy after defeating the "Roma" team away with two goals by the Brazilian Adriano.
0 - 2
30' [0 - 1] Adriano
36' [0 - 2] Adriano
This was the last opportunity for both teams to win any title this season, and for a few "Inter" players and coach R.Mancini, the match in Rome had a different aspect because they had played against "Roma" alongside "Lazio" in the Eternal City derby.
"Roma" attacked first and in the first minute their goalkeeper F.Toldo saved the team by deflecting a shot from A.Cassano, and soon after Adriano sent the ball into the hosts' goal, but the referee P.Collina did not count the goal due to a foul against M.Ferrari.
Shortly after, "Roma" pressed their opponents and in a counterattack after a beautiful combination by F.Totti and A.Cassano, the latter hit the crossbar, then G.Favalli almost scored an own goal, and F.Toldo had to deflect C.Chivu's attempt. Milan's team responded with a dangerous free kick from S.Mihajlovic.
Nevertheless, despite pressure from the hosts, after half an hour "Inter" broke through - the Brazilian Adriano with a powerful shot from 40 meters defeated the Roma team's goalkeeper G.Curci.
Adriano, also known as the "Emperor", was not supposed to play in this match, but with permission from the Brazilian national team, he arrived for the match and became the hero of the game in the 36th minute, sending the ball into the goal with his head and increasing "Inter's" lead.
In the second half, the third "Roma" forward V.Montella broke out onto the field, whose shot was saved by F.Toldo in one episode, and later the player's goal was disallowed for offside. At the end of the match, opportunities were not capitalized on by A.Cassano and V.Montella, so "Inter" took home a convincing victory.
The return leg of the final match will take place at Milan's "San Siro" stadium on Wednesday. Although "Inter" will not be able to count on Adriano, J.Zanetti, and E.Cambiasso for this match due to their participation in the Confederations Cup, in order to prevent their opponents from winning the trophy for the first time since 1982, the "Roma" team would need a sort of miracle.