Coppa Italia: Inter victorious after valiant effort from Palermo

A packed Stadio Olimpico, with over 50,000 Palermo fans making the trip, saw Inter claim their 7th Coppa Italia win last night in Rome by 3-1. The score suggests that it was a comfortable affair for Inter but that was anything but the case. Palermo dominated the midfield play putting Inter under significant pressure throughout the match, especially the second half, but were sucker punched twice but classic counter attacking football that saw Samuel Eto'o score his 36th and 37th goals of the season, an incredible tally for the Lion of Cameroon. Palermo gave themselves half a chance with a later goal from Munoz, despite the fact that the corner it came from should never have been awarded. But the game was killed off late on when Munoz received his marching orders and then some superb work down the left wing from Goran Pandev fed Milito the easiest of finishes. Inter have been a team Palermo have struggled against in recent seasons. They've beaten Juve, Inter Milan and Roma on numerous occasions but against the Nerazzurri it has been a different story and that remained the case. 

The game looks set to be Fabrizio Miccoli's last game in the Palermo pink and mnay have suggested his next destination will be Lecce. Both he and coach Rossi were in tears after the game and one wonders where they will both be next season.

Cup final set as Palermo will take on holders Inter

Palermo made their way to the final in stunning fashion last night with a 2-1 win over Milan and they will have to beat holders Inter to get their hands on their first ever piece of silverware. Whilst their record against AC is great in recent seasons Palermo have struggled against Inter and they would definitely have preferred to take on Roma, who were defeated 2-1 on aggregate tonight by Inter, instead.

Indeed, an exquisite Samuel Eto'o finish gave Inter the lead tonight in the second half before Marco Boriello leveled the tie with a superb header in the games dying embers. Moments before the former Milan and Genoa forward had hit both posts with a strike that beat Julio Cesar as the drama cranked up to maximum. Diego Milito also had a valid penalty claim turned away as Juan took out the Argentine without getting near the ball on the 90 minute mark. In the end it did not matter as Inter went through and will play Palermo in the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday the 29th of May, a week after the domestic season ends.

Coppa Italia 2010/2011: The draw has been made...

and it has produced a somewhat loaded side of the draw. Napoli, Inter, Lazio, Roma, Genoa and Juve all find themselves on the same side of the draw, with a potential Rome derby taking place in the last 16 with the winner likely taking on Juve. Inter and Napoli could also face off in the quarters and that fixture is always a tasty affair. Undoubtedly some great matches are ahead on this side of the draw not least because both of last years finalists are within it.

The other side of the draw looks somewhat weaker but with Milan, Fiorentina, Palermo, Parma and Sampdoria within it the quality will still be high. Additionally, last years providers of the romance in the cup, Novara, are within this half as well. Novara, promoted to Serie B last year, took what seemed almost their entire city to the San Siro to play against the mighty Milan in the Coppa only to lose admirably 2-1 to the Seven times European Cup winners thanks to a stunning Flamini goal. The round of the last 32 kicks off in late October.

Tomorrow, reflection on the Serie A fixture draw.

Inter take Coppa Crown

Inter Milan won their sixth Coppa Italia title and their first out of a potential three trophy haul this season. Roma came into this game, on home soil, having the chance to win their 10th Coppa Italia crown and put them clear of Juve, who have nine, as the most dominant side in the history of this tournament. But, a classy Diego Milito finish put paid to that opportunity just before half time as he barged his way through the Roma defence and fired a strong effort past Julio Sergio into the top corner of the Olimpico Curva Nord end goal. Inter had the ball in the net earlier but that was adjudged as offside, while Roma went close and only a figure tip save from Julio Cesar prevented the home crowd from celebrating. Inter held out in the end as Totti was dismissed late on for a classes kick at Mario Balotelli. Ugly scenes followed as Roma players crowded Inter players at the final whistle while a Roma fans invaded the pitch in an attempt to attack an Inter player. In a week where Roma accused Lazio of ugly behaviour and a lack of morals, it seems the club that once gave every referee in Serie A a rolex watch, that being AS Roma, has a lot to learn indeed. Meanwhile Inter's stunning trophey haul in recent years continues to grow and this Coppa Italia is Mourinho's first in Italy after Lazio won it last year.

Coppa Italia roll of honour

Juventus 9 titles
Roma 9 titles
Fiorentina 6 titles
Inter Milan 6 titles
Torino 5 titles
Milan 5 titles
Lazio 5 titles
Sampdoria 4 titles

Coppa Italia: Final four set

Fiorentina made it a week ago, and now Roma, Inter and Udinese have joined them in the Semi finals of the Coppa Italia. Udinese took out Milan at the San Siro and in comfortable style with that. Gokhan Inler gave Udinese the lead in the second half after the Udine side had comfortably outplayed Milan up until that point. It was a second string Milan, but one that should have created more than it did against a side that are currently in a relegation battle. For Udinese though their season has some meaning now, and a chance awaits them to win a place in the Europa league if they can defeat Roma in the semi finals. Roma made it through by finally breaking down 10 man Catania at the Olimpico on Tuesday night, and the island side eventually finished with 9 men. But such is Roma's recent record in this competition that many would fancy them to go all the way, even against Inter who disposed of Juventus in unconvincing fashion last night. After Toldo's error allowed Diego to give Juve the lead, Inter fought back and leveled in fortunate circumstances after Sneijder's freekick bounced off the wall into the path of Lucio, who tapped in on the line. Later on Balotelli, who has misfired all night long, converted a parried shot from Gigi Buffon on his birthday.

So Inter will face Fiorentina at home on the 3rd of February in the first leg and Udinese will play Roma away the night after. Inter start as favourites at 5/4 with Roma second in that category at 9/4. Fiorentina come in at 7/2 with Udinese the outside bet online .

Coppa Italia: Round of 16 review

Its been a fascinating three days of action from the Coppa Italia, which has seen nearly all of the involved teams take this competition with a serious attitude. Roma blasted past Triestina 3-1 on Tuesday night, with Brighi, Vucinic and Baptista from a free kick on the score sheet to set up a clash with Genoa's conquerors Catania in the quarter finals. Roma may not fancy the trip to Catania, its not been a happy hunting ground for them in recent years. However, both sides will see this as a great opportunity to set up a clash with Milan in the Semi finals. Catania themselves beat Genoa 2-1 away from home, scoring twice through Plasmati in the early going. Rossi pulled on back for Genoa, but they finished the game with nine men as Sinisa Mihajlovic's men set up their clash with Roma.

Milan made their passage to the quarter finals by beatingt Novara 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon. Novara, the leaders of Serie C1A had the honour of being the only undefeated team in Italian football up until the clash with Milan. But, their endeavour and backing of their 7,000 fans who packed the bottom team of the San Siro's Curva Nord almost kept this run going. Pippo Inzaghi put Milan ahead but Novara just after the break leveled with a goal worthy of such a Stadium. They pushed Milan hard but Mathieu Flamini's outstanding finish from 25 yards killed the dream of the small town of Novara and with it the romance of a small team in the quarters.

Udinese set up a meeting with Milan by beating Lumezzane, another Serie C1A side, 2-0. Lodi converted from the spot in the first half, and Corradi doubled the lead in the second half.

Napoli had the chance to further compound Juve's misery last night, but their second string line up just didn't have the quality to answer Juve. Diego put them ahead in the first half, and a Del Piero brace ended the Neopolitan dream late on. Marek Hamsik came of the bench to fire a 30 yard missile off the bar when it was 1-0. How different it could have ended had that strike been 1 inch lower. Juve with meet Inter, who qualified for this stage in December.

Fiorentina also made their way through by beating Chievo 3-2 in arguably the best game of the round. An Adrian Mutu brace, and a goal from 16 year old Babacar of Senegal gave Fiorentina the passport to play against Lazio, who disposed of Palermo 2-0 tonight, in the quarter final. Indeed, Lazio with goals from Kolarov and Floccari, his 4th in 3 games for Lazio, sealed a berth in the quarters for Lazio once again. The defending Champions looked uneasy for most of the first half, although never really looked like conceding. Muslera did pull of a great save from Javier Pastore, but Lazio made their pressure count with two second half goals. Still, Lazio are in need of re-enforcements if they are to go all the way once again. The midfield is a tired one, lacking all too often of ideas and moments of brilliance to open up space. Luca Cigarini of Napoli has been linked again in recent days, and with Mario Bolatti of to Fiorentina it would seem legitimate options are becoming slimmer for the Aquile. Nonetheless, this win should inspire confidence against a slumping Atalanta side at the weekend.

Coppa Italia: Last 16

The Coppa Italia round of 16 continued last night as Roma beat Triestina 3-1, after initially falling behind to an early goal from the away side. Goals from Brighi, Vucinic and Baptista saw them through to the quarter finals. They join Inter who saw of Livorno by 1-0 thanks to a Wesley Sneijder free kick in december.

Today and tomorrow sees some fascinating ties with some David v Goliath battles among them. Today at 3pm UK time AC Milan face Novara at home. Novara, top of Serie C1 A are currently unbeaten this season. They have set the pace in the lega pro, as reported here, right from the start and so far in the Coppa have taken out Parma and Siena. Some 7,000 Novara fans are set to make the journey to Milan for this once in a life time clash. But, is it once in a life time. In Serie C1 A at the moment they are 5 points ahead of second and 9 points ahead of third. Serie B beckons, and once you get in there you are only one season away from the big league. They will enjoy their moment today, win loose or draw.

Elsewhere today Juventus face Napoli in a mamoth clash in Turin, as the sides are locked next to each other in the table. Napoli in my view start as favourites. They have already won here in the league and Juve are a shambles at the moment. Genoa also face Catania again today, having beaten them 2-0 in the league on Sunday.

Tomorrow sees another lega pro side face a Serie A one, as Udinese taken on Lumezzane. 10th in the lega pro at the moment, the Lombardy based side will also have their moment of glory against a Serie A side. A win here, possible against a struggling Udinese, would take them onto a huge match in the next round against either Milan or Novara. Fiorentina also face Chievo in an all Serie A clash that will be tough to call, while defending Champions Lazio take on Palermo and their manager Delio Rossi, the man who took Lazio all the way last season. Interesting stuff.

So who could face who in the next round?

Top half of the draw
Fiorentina or Chievo will take on either Lazio or Palermo
Inter will take on either Juventus or Napoli

Bottom half of the draw
Milan or Novara will take on either Udinese or Lumezzane
Genoa or Catania will take on Roma

So, the winners of the quarters will go onto the semi's and play the respective winners of their half of the draw. So, we could when all is said and done end up with a Rome or Milan derby in the final or Inter v Roma, the final that dominated this competition before last year.