26' Samuel Eto'o                  88' Ezequiel Munoz 
                                                       76' Samuel Eto'o
                                                       92' Diego Milito

 
 

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It was a long wait .... finally, it is inter to win the 63rd Coppa Italia thanks to the goals from forward Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito while for Palermo shortening the distance was defender Ezequiel Munoz.


This is it... the final countdown for the 63rd Coppa Italia.  It's the first time  Inter and Palermo are playing the final.  Stats in favor of Inter.  There have been 50  games between Inter - Palermo including 26 played in Milan and 24 played in Sicily.  Inter having 27 win, 18 draw, and Palermo 5 win. 101 goals scored by Inter, 45 goals scored by Palermo.  It's sold out now over 69,000 tickets sold....

About 40,000 Palermo fans making the trip to the Olimpico and the waving Pink Flags and banners are expected to compete with the Blue and Black inter flags.  I already have goosebumps for this game... what a historic final!!!!!! 

 Here is the official lineup from INTER by coach Leonardo:

INTER (4-3-1-2): 1 Julio Cesar; 55  Yuto Nagatomo, 6 Lucio, 15 Andrea Ranocchia, 26  Christian Chivu; 4 Javier Zanetti, 8 Thiago Motta, 5 Dejan Stankovic; 10 Wesley Sneijder; 7 Giampaolo Pazzini, 9 Samuel Eto'o.

Here is the official lineup from PALERMO by coach Delio Rossi:

PALERMO (4-3-2-1): 46 Salvatore Sirigu; 16 Cassani, 6 Ezequiel Munoz, 3 Dorin Goian, 42 Federico Balzaretti; 8 Migliaccio, 94 Acquah, 23 Nocerino; 72 Josip  Ilicic, 27 Javier Pastore; 9 Abel Hernandez.


wow, wow, wow, guys, I have goosebumps just watching the players making their entrance to the pitch while close up from Palermo fans waving their flags, wearing  pin and black hats and Inter fans also  wavign their Blue and black flags and this is all crazy, madness, super  enthusiastic now!!!!!!   Forza

Match officials now lining up for the classic photo..   Captain Javier Zanetti and  Palermo captain   exchanging Scudetto..... Palermo fans  rooting also for Palermo coach Delio Rossi and he is applauding back to the fans.   



Here are the 11 players battling for Palermo in the Final of the Coppa Italia.


 This is it guys....  close up from Inter subs in the bench with Diego Milito and Walter Samuel.....  

We are set.. and this is it  guys... Referee Emidio Morganti whistles the beginning of the match.... showtime.. let's roll the ball for 90 minutesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Wow, you can hear the loud chants from the fans.  

Oh my gosh, guys, what a scary moment for Inter when   the first  knock knock  is from Palermo in the 1st minute with Uruguay forward Abel Hernandez  alerting Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar with a right footed shot  that  he is there to score.. now the question is whether he will score or not... 

In the 4th miute it is again an alert Palermo sending signals  that they are  following the miracle...   an assist by  GIulio Migliaccio to Hernandez but found offside.....

Close up from Inter  forward Giampaolo Pazzini.....

Inter coach Leonardo standing up now  with a worried look... and  shouting instructions.. and you bet he better start giving  instructions because Palermo are  overpowering Inter in these early minutes.....

Close up from Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar ....  and now it is a give and take ...  Inter captain Javier Zanetti  battling for the blue and black.....  Josip Illicic  creating danger..... and there you see Javier Pastore unmarking  .... 


Photo Reuters


In the 7th minute, hello hello hello  Palermo defender Dorin  Goian commits a foul form behind on Giampaolo Pazzini and  lucky not getting a yellow card....

After  8 minutes, Inter waking up and  now taking control while Palermo  are slowing down but let's not  rule out Palermo.. still too early..    Speed from Pastore and Hernandez are  creating danger for Inter defense whle Lucio  blocking their attempts to break  for goal.....

match delayed...  in the 13th minute a foul from Acquah  on inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder  ........

Guys,  bo bliing time here.. whoeever blinks and will be "fatal."   hello hello...  

Mamma miaaaaaaaaaa  say what... guys in the 18th minute  Illicic  to Pastore  with a super speed and so close to score when Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar anticipates and takes the ball away from Pastore's feet who  finishing with a slide like in baseball .....    hey hey hey close up from Italy under 11 Ciro CFerrara and the  undimenticable  Referee Collina....

wow,w ow. wow.. and Pastore seems energized creating  again another  goal opportunity  with a left footed shot in the 20th minute and wondering where is Inter defense leaving Pastore so freely  to speed around the pitch  like the beep beep beep....  hello  anybody home in Inter defense????  shooottttt the ball over the bar....

A loud chant now when Palermo forward Fabrizio Miccoli get up to warm up...  it seems defender Dorin Goian having problems with his knee....

Guys, Palermo forced to make a substitution for injury.    Turn for defender Moris Carrozzieri in the 25th minute

  GOOOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL GOOOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLll mamma miaaa helloo hello hellooooo guys there it is  the long  shot from Wesley Sneijder and  Inter forward Samuel Eto'o running from the left side  as if all Inter fans were pushing him directly to the net to smack a diagonal  right footed shot defeating Palermo goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu and there you go bam bam bam  opening the score is Inter while Eto'o runs to celebrate and the loud chant from Inter fans  silencing Palermo .. geee. now let's see how Palermo reacts... close up from Leonardo with a pleased  look... and   we are set for a show...
inter 1 - 0 Palermo


Photo AP



Photo AP

The joy from Inter fans after the goal from  Inter forward  Samuel Eto'o ...  



In the 28th minute Palermo closer to equalize with defender Federico Balzaretti  but goes over the  bar and he cannot believe his luck !!!!!! 

What a bim bam boom. guys,    in the 31st minute Palermo in the area  from Inter..  and everybody wanting to  shoot the ball to  equalize and Inter defender   opening their eyes wide to  check each Palermo player  in the area while Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar saves but the ball still in the area and finally there is defender christian Chivu  with the final clearance after the attempt t by Abel Hernandez .....  and so close for Palermo....


In the 41st minute  Palermo   midfielder Josip Ilicic  asking for a penalty  when there is the contact with  Inter defender Christian Chivu but Referee Emidio Morganti not  agreeing and match continue....
 
Oh my gosh.. guys Abel Hernandez so closeeeeeeee  to equalize... and Julio Cesar  says no.. no noo noooo

This is it guys... first half is over.. Referee Morganti whistles the end of the first half........   let's see who can deliver the wining pep talk during half time..  


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Palermo defender Federico Balzaretti and Inter Captain Javier Zanetti


We are back... second half now....  while close up from Referee Morganti  counting to make sure if he has all 11 paleyrs from each team...  serious look from Pastore.. more a concentrated look.. hey hey...

Oh my gosh first attempt is for Palermo  in the 46th minute with defender Federico Balzaretti....  

Close up from Diego MIlito warming up ...

Guys,   Palermo are   pressing in these  early minutes  like in the first half ....     Can Palermo  equalize in the next five minutes???? 

close up from Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini  watching the game from teh tribune...

In the 49th minute  Inter defender Yuto Nagatomo clearing danger.....

my my my.. mamma miaaa almost a papera from Inter goalkeeper Juli Cesar and the  net empty  and  sooo close for Palermo to equalize but  not  finalizing with  Abel Hernandez while  Julio turns  to grab the ball like going around  Hernandez... 



Second substitution for Palermo a loud applause  for forward Fabrizio Miccoli  replacing Acquah in the 57th minute ...

Say whatttttt  oh nooooooooooooo  mamma miaaaaaa guys, and let me say that at this point Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar is practically saving the match to keep this Coppa Italia when   saving  the headed shot from Miccoli running between 2 inter players and Miccoli cannot believe it by holding his head with two hands while Julio Cesar  self confident to  show his teammates  they can win this match .... 

In the 52nd minute referee Morganti  giving a yellow card to Palermo defender  Ezequiel Munoz

Inter making a substitution in the 61st minute  ..  Giampaolo Pazzini leaving among  applause while is the turn for the ex Laziale forward Goran Pandev...

Palermooooo  what are you doing... another bim bam boom moment   with Miccoli, Pastore Migliaccio and it is like a beach  volley ball  while Inter fighting to   block Palermo....

Chivu  taking the ball away from Abel Hernandez  while Hernandez  remains on the ground and   no penalty here as  replay showing   Chivu   went after the ball ..

In the 68th minute Referee Morganti giving a yellow card to Palermo defender Morris Carrozzieri for a foul on Samuel Eto'o....  





Close up from Italy head coach Cesare Prandelli seating nest to the ex  head coach Marcello Lippi......

Gosh, is Lady Luck moving away from Palermo?  So far they already had at least  3  chances to score but not finalizing the action.....

Palermo are  fighting hard, but looks they don't have the "final touch."

In the 76th minute GOOOOOOOAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL  and this is rocking time for Samuel Eto'o. Oh yeah... guys, nothing to do, but Eto'o coming from the right responding when the team needs him and he smack  Palermo goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu with a right footed shot after the assist by Wesley Sneijder.. Eto'o  first check to see   if the "coast" is clear  to finally  send Inter fans to glory  when scoring the second goal which practically secures the victory .... Eto'o runs to celebrate  with  his hands next to this ear as  telling the fans "I don't hear you., shout louder."     Close up from Inter president Massimo Moratti  and you bet he is ready to send an extra bonus to Eto'o....
Inter 2 - 0 Palermo


Photo AP

In the 78th minute last substitution for Palermo with Abel Hernandez out, Mauricio Pinilla in.

In the 82nd minute Inter coach Leonardo replacing Thiago Motta and bringing  Mariga.




ooopsssss guys.....  replay showing the ball went  out but Morganti granting the corner....  and guess what....   what!!!!!   Hello hello helloooo   out of the cornier kick by Federico Balzaretti finding  Palermo defender Ezequiel Munoz in the right place to head the ball defeating Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar and Palermo shortening the distance.......  wow ,woww , wow....    we have 5 minutes ...
inter 2 - 1 Palermo

Oh nooooo   dream is over for Palermo.......

In the 86th minute Salvatore Sirigu  jumping to clear the shot from Wesley Sneijder....

In  the 87th minute Inter coach Leonardo replacing Sneijder  with  forward Diego Milito... Sneijder leaving the pitch among the applause of the fans.. 

5 minutes added time....

In  the  90th minute  referee Morganti giving a second yellow card to  Munoz and is a direct card now ... Palermo remaining with 10 players while a close up from Zamparini upset.

in the 92nd minute  Il Principe Milito is back!!!!! Mamma miaaa guys, I am crying of joy for Milito watching him scoring the goal, geeee, this has not been a good season for Milito but now   delivering  the final "securing" goal and Inter   can claim the Coppa Italia.....    Milito running to embrace Goran Pandev and all his teammates  congratulating Milito..  it 's a boost for Milito!!!!    Good  play  from Lucio to Pandev and then Pandev to  Milito... 
Inter 3 - 1 Palermo



Photo Reuters

The joy from Diego Milito after scoring  for Inter in the agonizing  minutes... 

It's over....    Inter  winner of the Coppa Italiaaaaaaa   ... Palermo battled ... nothing to do....  a standing applause for Palermo for their courage and making it  to the final .  Well done for Palermo, a good season,.... 

Palermo players  as expected sad and being consoled by  staff.. Balzaretti crying,  Pinilla  with a sad gesture.......  just the opposite from Inter side all party....     Milito and Eto'o  in good sportsmanship  consoling  Ezequiel Munoz  crying openly for this defeat.     Close up from Pastore also with crying  eyes....   come on guys, it is sad but   I wont'   condemn Palermo, they  had a good season, sure it is sad they did not  make it to win  the Coppa Italia as they dreamed, but  they deserve the applause for all they did. 

Oh gosh.. guys..  how sad to watch the  tears from Palermo  coach Delio Rossi  crying after receiving the medal and the applause from the fans ....  Sirigu  consoling Delio...  gee.. as I have said,  Palermo deserve a standing ovation despite this defeat.

Party now for Inter with their turn to lift the Coppa italia.....     players   ready to  receive their medals and lift the trophy.   wow, guys,  what a moment for Inter captain  Javier Zanetti  lifting the Coppa Italia trophy...    what a legend!!!!  Well done Zanetti...  

Inter now posing for the traditional group photo with the  Coppa Italia  trophy.. now  the Olympic turn, il giro......  


Click the video to watch the  presentation of the  Coppa Italia  trophy to inter.





Photo Getty Images




Photo AP

Party for Inter players  celebrating......  confetti all over the place...



Photo Reuters

Inter  Captain Javier Zanetti kissing the Coppa Italia.



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Inter president Massimo Moratti celebrating with Inter Captain Javier Zanetti.



hoto Reuters

Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder and defender Yuto Nagatomo




2010 - 2011 Coppa  Italia Final - Italian Cup Final

Inter vs Palermo
Sunday May 29 2011
Olimpico di Roma Stadium
21:00 Italy time

Referee:  Emidio Morganti
Assistants: Rossomando and Papi
Fourth Official:  Tagliavento
Attendance:

Scorers:

Official formations

INTER (4-3-1-2): 1 Julio Cesar; 55  Yuto Nagatomo, 6 Lucio, 15 Andrea Ranocchia, 26  Christian Chivu; 4 Javier Zanetti, 8 Thiago Motta, 5 Dejan Stankovic; 10 Wesley Sneijder; 7 Giampaolo Pazzini, 9 Samuel Eto'o.

Substitutes: 12 Castellazzi, 14 Kharja, 17 Mariga, 22 Milito, 23 Materazzi, 25 Samuel, 27 Pandev.

Coach: Leonardo

PALERMO (4-3-2-1): 46 Salvatore Sirigu; 16 Cassani, 6 Ezequiel Munoz, 3 Dorin Goian, 42 Federico Balzaretti; 8 Migliaccio, 94 Acquah, 23 Nocerino; 72 Josip  Ilicic, 27 Javier Pastore; 9 Abel Hernandez.

Substitutes: 99 Benussi, 4 Kasami, 10 Miccoli, 11 Liverani, 36 Darmian, 51 Pinilla, 80 Carrozzieri.

Coach: Delio Rossi


What do you think of the results? Which players surprised you or disappointed you and why?