Roma win Coppa Italia for second consecutive year

By: Francesco | May 24th, 2008

In the 4th consecutive Roma-Inter Coppa Italia final, Roma triumphed for a second time, defeating the Scudetto winners 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico. For Roma this is their 9th Coppa Italia triumph overall, and are now level with Juventus for most all-time wins. This game could possibly have been the end of two eras for both clubs: The end of the Mancini era for Inter, and the end of the Sensi era for Roma. Although they may be just rumors, both eras look destined to come to an end. More after the jump.

Roma: Doni; Casetti, Juan, Mexes, Tonetto; De Rossi, Pizarro; Giuly (Cicinho 70), Aquilani (Panucci 91), Perrotta (Brighi 74); Vucinic

Inter: Toldo; Maicon, Burdisso, Chivu, Maxwell; Zanetti (Crespo 89); Balotelli, Vieira, Cesar (Jimenez 61), Stankovic (Pele 46); Suazo

(HIGHLIGHTS AT THE END OF THE POST)

It was the end of the season party for the two best Italian clubs of 2007/2008 at the Stadio Olimpico tonight. This is the first time a one leg final has been played in the Coppa Italia in over 20 years.

I think the first half was well described by Sandro Mazzola at the half: Inter played well for 10 minutes, Roma played well for the other 35 minutes. Roma went into the locker room with a 1-0 lead thanks to a stunning strike from Philippe Mexes. A corner from Pizarro was curled low towards Mexes who hit it on the bounce and it sailed into the roof of the net. Francesco Toldo was angry and he had a right to be, as not one Inter player was close to marking the Frenchman.

In the second half, Roma doubled their lead in the 53rd minute through Simone Perrotta. Cassetti won the ball from Cesar on the right wing near Roma’s goal, and immediately launched a pass for Perrotta who put a through ball for Mirko Vucinic who cut back past an onrushing Toldo for Perrotta who then volleyed it into the empty net. Roma were 2-0 up and cruising. The Inter players protested the goal saying that Cassetti had fouled Cesar, but replays showed that play was regular.

Pele then came on for Inter to solidify the midfield and within moments of coming in he got Inter on the board. A ball came out to him around 30 yards out and hit an absolutely perfect volley that screamed past a helpless Doni. Spalletti was furious because nobody closed down the young Portuguese midfielder. After that Inter hit the bar from a Burdisso diving header and it looked like the Nerazzurri would put up a fight. However Roma handled Inter and killed off the game, winning their 2nd straight Coppa Italia and 9th overall.

Injured stars Francesco Totti and Rodrigo Taddei made their way to the pitch to celebrate, and Totti lifted the Coppa in front of his beloved fans. It’s not the end of Roma-Inter by any means, as both sides will do battle yet again in the SuperCoppa in August. To read about the celebrations (including Mirko Vucinic driving around a golf cart with Taddei and Vito Scala, go to the Roma Offside.)

Before I mentioned the end of eras for both clubs. And like I said, it may just be rumors and speculation, but most probably the eras of Roberto Mancini and the Sensi family have come to an end. After 4 seasons, it seems like Roberto Mancini has decided to throw in the towel and go on to new pastures. News today was that Mourinho sent Essien a text message saying he was going to sign for Inter on Monday, and most probably that will happen. What will happen to Roberto Mancini, Mr. Coppa Italia himself? Most probably a move to the EPL. Mancini tried to end his career there as a player (made a few appearances for Leicester City before leaving to become manager of Fiorentina) and now may go back as a manager. Chelsea needs a new manager since they parted ways with Avram Grant, or if Manchester City decides to part ways with Eriksson he could take over there (not to mention his son Filippo was transferred to Man City in January). We’ll have to see.

As for Roma, the Sensi family may finally decide to sell Roma after being in charge of the club for 15 years. It has been always known that in recent years the Sensi family has had numerous debts, and the club has become an expense that they simply cannot afford. Rumors are that the Soros deal will be finalized during the week, and Roma will be sold for 283 million euro. I think that it will happen, especially after seeing Rosella Sensi celebrate the Coppa Italia victory today like it was her last day on earth. She has seen Roma win one last trophy and may decide to finally give up the club. (And if rumors are true, she’ll stay on as some sort of honorary chairperson). This is another thing that we’ll have to wait and see how it unfolds.

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