Inter trample on Roma's dreams

FC Internazionale Milano won the Coppa Italia for the second successive season after beating AS Roma 3-1 at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium to claim a 4-2 aggregate win. It was a tenth success in the competition for Inter coach Roberto Mancini who has won the Coppa Italia six times as a player and four times as a coach.

Early break
Inter took the lead after just six minutes when Esteban Cambiasso fired in a superb left-footed volley from outside the penalty box after receiving Javier Zanetti's cross from the right. Roma, who were missing Phillippe Mexes, Rodrigo Taddei and Simone Perrotta through suspension, tried to hit back but Inter defended well and continued to be the most dangerous side, especially on the counterattack.

Cruz scores
Julio Cruz then wasted an easy chance to double the lead, shooting wide from close range after a precise ball from Adriano, but the Argentinian made amends before the break by scoring his side's second goal of the night. Dejan Stanković broke through Roma's defence with a solo run and put Cruz one-to-one with Doni. The striker dribbled past the Roma goalkeeper and rolled the ball into the empty net.

Totti returns
Early in the second half, Francesco Totti made his return to action 81 days after his leg injury replacing 16-year-old striker Stefano Okaka Chuka to a standing ovation from the 7,000 Roma fans who followed the team to Milan. The Roma captain promptly came close to scoring as his right-footed shot from outside the penalty box flashed just wide.

Final blow
Inter confirmed their victory after 75 minutes. Doni rushed out to save at Cruz's feet but fumbled the ball into the path of Obafemi Martins, who had just come on for Adriano. The Nigerian striker duly pushed the ball into the open goal. Second-half substitute Shabani Nonda scored a consolation goal for the visitors but it was Inter who celebrated after the final whistle.