Friday 23 May 2008

Roma resolved to deny Inter double

For the fourth time in as many seasons, Inter meet Roma in the Coppa Italia final, with the Nerazzurri chasing a domestic double.

A change of format has seen the two-legged final replaced by an all-or-nothing game at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, and if Serie A runners-up Roma have home advantage, the side that denied them the Scudetto would love to follow up their third straight championship with a domestic double.

An Inter victory would also represent a third final win against Roma in four campaigns.


"Saturday's match gives us the chance of another trophy," said Nerazzurri captain Javier Zanetti. "We will be calm and focused going to Rome, confident that we can do well."

Roberto Mancini's men will have plenty of support too, with 30,000 Inter fans allowed to head for the capital.

"It will be a good game and we hope the crowd enjoy it and participate in a celebration of sport," added Zanetti.

Roma turned the tables on Inter last term, taking the Coppa Italia after losing the previous two finals against the Nerazzurri, and striker Mirko Vucinic is sure his side will keep a firm grip on the trophy.

"The cup is staying with us," said the Montenegrin international. "They are not going to take the rosette from our jerseys."

Vucinic has proved vital to Luciano Spalletti's Giallorossi in the absence of injured skipper Francesco Totti, and while Matteo Ferrari is also likely to be sidelined, Roma are desperate to get their own back, feeling they would have been worthy champions.

Inter, however, are giving no ground. "On Saturday, the best teams in Italy meet again and we want to win," said Zanetti.

The champions will have to do without last week's Scudetto-clincher Zlatan Ibrahimovic who has picked up an injury.

Source: UEFA

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