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Milan's "Inter" won the Italian Cup for the second year in a row - in the final of the most prestigious tournament, the team coached by Roberto Mancini defeated "Roma" with a score of 3-1, celebrating victory thanks to a combined score of 4-2 and adding to their modest trophy collection in recent years.
3 - 1
(first leg 1-1, aggregate score 4-2)
6' [1 - 0] Esteban Cambiasso
45' [2 - 0] Julio Ricardo Cruz
75' [3 - 0] Obafemi Martins
80' [3 - 1] Shabani Nonda
The match started on the pitch with the recovery from injuries of the attacking leaders of both teams - "Roma" captain Francesco Totti and "Inter" defender Juan Sebastian Veron. "Inter" had to play without the disqualified defender Iván Córdoba, while the guests were missing the suspended players Simone Perrotta, Rodrigo Taddei, defender Philippe Mexès, and the ill defender Daniele De Rossi.
The hosts started the match aggressively, creating several dangerous opportunities and taking just six minutes to take the lead. After a pass from Javier Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso struck the ball perfectly in mid-air, leaving the visitors' goalkeeper in awe.
A few minutes later, there was another moment of chaos in front of the "Roma" goal. A cross from Julio Ricardo Cruz was nearly diverted into his own net by "Roma" defender Cristian Panucci. Moments later, the visitors' goalkeeper had to save a low shot from Dejan Stanković.
"Roma" finally had a chance to score. However, solid defending from "Inter" defender Javier Zanetti forced Amantino Mancini to shoot wide. Shortly after, the capital club's defender Christian Chivu had to leave the field due to injury. Samuel Kuffour replaced him.
Soon after, Adriano demanded a penalty kick for a handball by Christian Panucci in the penalty area, but the referee remained silent.
After Adriano's mistake, "Roma" defender Houssine Kharja had a chance to score, but his shot missed the target. "Inter" forward attempted to make up for his error, but his shot was well saved by the "Roma" goalkeeper Doni.
As the first half was coming to an end, "Inter" had a great opportunity to score, and after receiving a pass from Dejan Stanković, Julio Ricardo Cruz deceived the "Roma" goalkeeper and sent the ball into the empty net.
The second half started with dangerous attacks from Luis Figo and Amantino Mancini, but the most notable event was the appearance of one of Italy's national team stars and "Roma" captain Francesco Totti after three months of absence.
Soon after, the hosts had to replace injured Dejan Stanković with Argentine Santiago Solari. Minutes later, F. Totti almost scored - after a pass from Houssine Kharja, the Italian shot towards goal, but the ball flew wide.
Despite the efforts of the visitors' captain to save his team, in the 75th minute Obafemi Martins practically secured the Italian Cup for his team by taking advantage of chaos in the visitors' penalty area and sending the ball into "Roma's unguarded goal.
The visitors managed to reduce the lead when F. Totti sent a high pass to "Inter's" penalty area during a free-kick, where "Roma" striker Shabani Nonda headed the ball into the goal.
Just before the end of the match, Kily Gonzales and Santiago Solari had a chance to score the fourth goal for their team, but their attempts missed the target.
When the final whistle blew, the "Inter" players celebrated victory, defeating the same opponent in the final for the second year in a row and earning the right to lift the Italian Cup for the fifth time in the history of the club. Team coach Roberto Mancini became the first manager to win the trophy three times in a row, and in total, including his playing career, he has now won trophies 10 times.
