Coppa Italia: Inter reaches the final yet again

By: Francesco | May 7th, 2008

For another consecutive year, Inter will be in the final of the Coppa Italia. The game finished 2-0, with goals coming from Pele and Cruz. Inter started the game with a 4-5-1, with David Suazo as the lone striker and and a young central midfield pairing of Francesco Bolzoni and Pele. Lazio started with the usual 4-3-1-2 with Goran Pandev supporting Tommaso Rocchi and Rolando Bianchi. Lazio attacked from the first whistle and immediately Lazio hit the post on a Ledesma free kick. Lazio kept attacking and went close on many occasions and Pandev really was playing well. Inter then had their chances, mostly through Jimenez, although Chivu missed an easy chance from a free kick.

The game finished 0-0 at half-time. In the second half Lazio almost scored quickly, but it was Inter who took the lead. David Suazo used his speed to run to the byline and cut back for Pele (who was easily man of the match) who thumped home an excellent strike into the upper corner past Ballotta. Inter led 1-0. Lazio then needed to score 2 goals to qualify. Mancini took off Bolzoni who looked a little shaky and put in Cruz, moving Jimenez to the trequartista role. Mancini then got sent off for applauding the referee sarcastically, so Mijhalovic was in charge. Mancini probably won’t be able to coach in the final.

Lazio then had two good chances, one nicely saved by Toldo, and a Dabo shot from a free kick just wide. The game was very tense and there were lots of arguments. On a Inter free kick, Cruz clearly punched Aleksander Kolarov in the head. The referee didn’t see it and yellowed both players for the ensuing scuffle, but Kolarov was bleeding. The replay clearly shows the punch, and Cruz will probably receive a lengthy ban. Materazzi, who came in as a sub, then committed a stupid foul on Pandev that earned him a straight red card. Pandev had the ball in the corner, Materazzi slid in and got the ball, but then hacked own Pandev for no reason. Inter then secured qualification with a second goal. Pele crossed it in, Ballotta made a mess of an easy cross and it fell to Cruz who tapped it in to bring Inter to the final.

As soon as the second goal went in the many Lazio fans started to insult Lotito heavily and he had to leave the stadium.

Inter reach yet another Coppa Italia final, where they will most probably play Roma again (but you never know).

This loss also raises a lot of questions for Lazio. They have had a terrible season, are languishing in the lower echelons of the table, Delio Rossi doesn’t seem to have it anymore, the players are not doing much, the fans hate Lotito, the questions can go on and on. This is a club that has a serious problem that needs major fixing this summer.

This result is also good news for Udinese and Sampdoria, because now (barring a miracle from Catania) they are both mathematically assured of qualifying for a UEFA Cup spot since the spot will go to the 7th placed team in the table.

Also, just a note, I was so glad to hear Carlo Nesti back doing the announcing on RAI today. They haven’t made him commentate games in a long time, and thank God they brought him back. It brings me back to the days of watching Serie A in the ’90s.

LAZIO (4-3-3): 32 Ballotta; 29 De Silvestri (41′ st 17 Tare), 13 Siviglia, 25 Cribari, 8 Zauri (21′ st 3 Kolarov); 6 Dabo (34′ st 5 Mutarelli), 24 Ledesma, 85 Behrami; 19 Pandev, 9 Bianchi, 18 Rocchi.

Bench: 1 Muslera, 7 Rozehnal, 11 Mauri, 26 Mudingayi.

Coach: D.Rossi.

INTER (4-4-1-1): 1 Toldo; 16 Burdisso (22′ st 23 Materazzi), 24 Rivas, 26 Chivu (31′ st 13 Maicon), 6 Maxwell; 4 Zanetti, 36 Bolzoni (13′ st 9 Cruz), 31 Pelè, 30 Cesar; 11 Jimenez; 29 Suazo.

Bench: 12 Julio Cesar, 19 Cambiasso, 50 Siligardi, 18 Crespo.

Coach: Mancini.

Referee: Saccani

GOALS: 51′ Pelè, 85′ Cruz.

Highlights to follow…