OTD 10 years ago: Inter win their seventh Coppa Italia

MILAN – A brace from Samuel Eto’o and a third from Diego Milito to seal Inter’s seventh Coppa Italia triumph. On 29 May 2011, the Nerazzurri took on Palermo in the Coppa Italia final following a cup run that had seen them get the better of Genoa, Napoli and Roma, the latter of which were beaten over two legs in the semis following Stankovic’s goal in the capital and Eto’o’s finish in a 1-1 draw in the return fixture at San Siro.

The Coppa Italia triumph was the final chapter of a season that had consisted of highs and lows: Inter won the Supercoppa Italiana at the start of the campaign, fell to defeat in the UEFA Super Cup but then went on to win the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi in December following victory over TP Mazembe in the final. Then, Leonardo replaced Benitez in the Nerazzurri dugout.

At the Stadio Olimpico, Inter came up against Delio Rossi’s Palermo, a surprise package but a side that had many talented players, including Pastore, Ilicic and Abel Hernandez. As for Inter, they were without the injured Cambiasso and the suspended Maicon. Julio Cesar lined up between the sticks, while Andrea Ranocchia, the only Nerazzurri player to take to the pitch that day and win the 2020/21 Scudetto, started in defence. Also part of the Inter backline were Lúcio, Nagatomo and Chivu, with Zanetti, Thiago Motta and Stankovic forming a trio in midfield. Supporting Eto’o and Pazzini up front was Sneijder.

And the Dutchman provided the inspiration, setting up both of Eto’o’s goals in an action-packed final.

The Cameroonian also hit the bar, Muñoz pulled one back for Palermo and then Diego Milito finished things off, marking the start of the Nerazzurri party.