Serie A runners-up Inter go into the game as favourites, having won the Coppa three times in the last six seasons, and having not lost to their Sicilian opponents in the last six meetings. Palermo have matched their best performance in the competition, having lost in the final twice previously, and will be looking to go one further this time around.
The Rosanero, who finished eighth in the league, have surprised many by reaching this stage, defeating Fiorentina, Parma and league champions AC Milan en route to the final. Inter beat Genoa, Napoli and Roma to reach this stage, and are hoping to defend the trophy they won as part of an incredible treble last season under Jose Mourinho.
Since ‘The Special One" left however, Inter seem to have lost some of their magic from last season, but current manager Leonardo has denied any suggestions that he is under pressure, telling the press in his pre-match press conference: “I don"t have that need [to prove myself]; I don"t see this as a personal target.
“That would mean devaluing what it really means to win the Coppa Italia," continued the 1994 World Cup winner. “A final is a final and that"s important for us, for Palermo, for everyone. In this case it"s a trophy that only one team, only one captain, will lift, and it will be the last trophy lifted in Europe this season, the last of all.
“It hasn"t been an easy year for us, and although in my opinion it has been a positive one, we really do want to end the season with a trophy, which would be this team"s third," continued Leonardo, in reference to the Supercoppa Italiana and FIFA Club World Cup titles won under Rafa Benitez.
When asked about Inter"s final opponents, Leonardo spoke with respect: “Palermo have been playing the same way for years. They"ll be without Bacinovic and Bovo, but they have plenty of alternatives, and generally speaking even when they change a few things around they the team still has the same playing style: technique combined with an attacking mindset."
The two players mentioned by the Inter boss are the only ones missing for Palermo, but the Nerazzurri themselves will definitely be without the injured Esteban Cambiasso and the suspended Maicon. Wesley Sneijder is a doubt and faces a late fitness test.
Speaking on the absentees, Leonardo commented: “We"ve been heavily penalised through a series of injuries but the team has shown great spirit. We struggled in the semi-final to overcome Roma but the final of the Coppa Italia will be a celebration."
Brazilians Julio Cesar and Lucio will start for Inter in goal and centre defence respectively, while Philippe Coutinho could be involved from the bench.
