Coppa Italia Final: Internazionale vs. Palermo
Ray Hudsen (RH): Welcome all to the Coppa Italia final which will be contested by Citta de Palermo and the reigning champions Internazionale. Still buoyant from their undefeated Serie A season for the second straight year, the Nerazzurri will hope to wrap up a famous treble today. Palermo will look to win their first piece of silverware in some time and ruin Inter's long unbeaten run.
Phil Schoen (PS): Inter start with a rather peculiar formation along the lines of a 4-4-2. Pereira, Juan, Ranocchia, and the captain Zanetti start across the back, M'Vila will hold with Adryan as a deeper lying midfielder and Coutinho and Sterling on either wing. Muriel and Ademilson get the nod up top. Looks as though we're set for the kick, off we go!
12' PS: Here comes the great captain, Zanetti, down the right. Nice ball in, but cleared by the ex-Inter man, Silvestre.
RH: Not very far, though, Adryan heads it back in, it falls to Ademilson who finishes with aplomb! Out of nowhere, Inter pick up an early 1-0 lead in this cup final!
PS: And how vital could that be in the grand scheme of things!
28' RH: Here comes the fleet-footed Brazilian, Coutinho, driving forward. Brilliant little give and go with his compatriot, Adryan.
PS: Wonderful ball out wide for Pereira, a couple of stepovers, and a fantastic finish at the near post!
RH: Magical team goal from Internazionale! 2-0 now halfway through the first period, and Inter are flying! It could be rout if they keep up this dominance.
41' PS: Inter have won a corner, the two big center backs Juan and Ranocchia are in the box. Coutinho lines up to take the kick.
RH: Good, deep ball in from the youngster, headed back across by Ranocchia, Juan on the end of it and heads it in! 3-0! The massive center backs combine for a classic corner goal!
PS: Wow, this final has been ridiculously one sided so far. Inter are dominating, and I don't remember the last serious attack Palermo have put together.
RH: That's because they haven't had one, Phil!
43' PS: Well, now they have, Ray, here comes Rios down the center. He's beaten M'Vila well, and he has space to pick out a pass.
RH: Excellent pass to the young striker, Sosa, wonderful piece of skill to beat Juan, he's through here...goal! Palermo claw one back on the stroke of half time, 3-1! This could be vital for Palermo to go into halftime with the momentum!
HT' RH: Well, it was all looking rosy for the Nerazzurri as they led 3-0 and were dominating every facet of the match, but Sosa made sure it wasn't a perfect half for Inter with his late goal. An exciting final so far, let's hope the goals continue to flow in the second half.
51' PS: A bright start from Palermo here, two goals down. Mantovani comes streaking down the left, leaving the elderly Zanetti looking, well, elderly!
RH: This is danger for Palermo, Mantovani puts in a cross, Kurtic leaps at it and buries it! Could you believe it!? Palermo bring the game back to 3-2 5 minutes after halftime!
PS: What a grand final this is turning out to be!
57' RH: That's a silly free kick to give away by Matias Silvestre, but Coutinho takes it with a smile and shakes the hand of his former teammate. He takes it quickly, though, and chips in Pereira on the left flank.
PS: Plenty of potential about this attack, quick cross into Ademilson, side foot finish past Viviano! Goal for Inter, Ademilson makes it 4-2! Finally, some breathing space for Inter again.
RH: Finally, Bergomi's men have stemmed the tide of incessant attacks from Palermo long enough to reap the rewards.
89' RH: Here comes Adryan, whose had a fine game this evening in the center of the park. He picks out Ademilson's run into the box, a chance to score...
PS: Surely a dive, but the ref's called a penatly! Morganella certainly got the ball there, but Ademilson went down like he'd been shot and the ref bought it!
RH: Well that's terrible refereeing. Up steps Ademilson...great penalty, right into the top corner! 5-2 to Inter, and it's surely over now.
PS: A rather controversial second goal of the evening for Ademilson, but a goal nonetheless.
FT' RH: And it's all over! Inter Milan have swept aside Palermo by a score of 5-2, showing their domestic dominance once again and completing a famous treble! Bergomi and his players celebrate on the pitch as Zanetti lifts the famous cup!
PS: A fantastic, classic, high scoring final to please the masses. For Inter, there is one game left, the Champions League final next weekend against Manchester City. Until then, Phil Schoen and Andy Gray saying goodbye.