Two goals from Samuel Eto’o gave Inter a comfortable lead, and although Ezequiel Munoz pulled one back for Palermo, Diego Milito made the game safe. Julio Cesar and Lucio both starred for Inter, who have now won the competition four times in the last seven seasons.
The Brazilian manager of the victors, Leonardo, said it was a perfect end to the season. “It was an exciting win, a perfect end to a season of continuity,” he told the press after the match. “It is an immense achievement, the team showed great desire to lift the cup against a very good Palermo side, who deserve compliments.
“Being able to close the season by winning the Coppa Italia on the day of the 150th anniversary of Italy’s reunification is a wonderful thing,” he said in an interview with ANSA. “To finish the season playing in a big event like the Italian cup final with Palermo’s and Inter’s wonderful fans in the stadium is the best thing.”
Leonardo continued: “We have to keep our desire to win with us next season. It was a difficult match, and without lust for success we could not have done this. The three titles are a sign of continuity few teams have,” with Inter having also won the Supercoppa Italiana and the Club World Cup this season.
It is the former Seleção star’s first trophy as the manager of Inter, and he will be hoping to add more next season. The club finished runners-up to arch rivals AC Milan in the league, failing to win it for the first time since 2005, and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
