ROME: As Roma retained the Italian Cup after a 2-1 victory over Champions Inter Milan at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday to gain revenge for their defeat in the Serie A title race.
Goals from French centre-back Philippe Mexes and Italy midfielder Simone Perrotta sealed a ninth cup success, making them the most successful team in Italian cup history, alongside Juventus. Inter substitute Vitor Pele scored a goal that even his more illustrious namesake - the Brazilian legend who won three World Cups - would have been proud of with a stunning 30-yard volley into the top corner that left Roma’s Brazilian goalkeeper Doni rooted to the spot.
The two sides have contested the last four cup finals and Roma squared the recent mini-series following Inter’s victories in 2005 and 2006. Despite missing the game injured, Roma club captain Francesco Totti went up to receive the silverware from Italy president Giorgio Napolitano.
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said he was happy to win but that the result of one match shouldn’t change the way people view a season as a whole.
“Lifting the cup is of little importance in the grander scheme of things, we need to give more merit to the way of working over the whole season,” he said.
The defeat, which could be Inter coach Roberto Mancini’s last in charge of the nerazzurri if Italian press reports are to be believed, denied him an incredible 11th cup success as a player and coach.
Roma were clearly the more hyped of the teams from the off as they looked to make up for last weekend’s Scudetto disappointment.
