Samuel Eto'o struck twice to help Inter Milan salvage a trophy from a disappointing season with a 3-1 win over Palermo in an electric Italian Cup final on Sunday. The Cameroon striker scored in the 26th minute and 76th minutes with carbon-copy strikes after latching on to precise Wesley Sneijder passes.
Palermo, seeking their first Italian Cup success, set up a grandstand finale with Ezequiel Munoz's 88th-minute header but the Argentine defender was then sent off and substitute Diego Milito scored in stoppage time to give the Nerazzurri their seventh success in the Coppa Italia.
Inter's Leonardo, winning his first trophy as a coach, was full of praise for his players after emerging from pitch-side celebrations more muted than those performed by AC Milan who clinched the title at the same Stadio Olimpico three weeks ago. "It's been a difficult season with lots of injuries, three coaches and different systems of playing," said the Brazilian. "They had many reasons to stop but they fought until the end. They deserved to end the season with a smile."
The 41-year-old was also generous to the losers. "Palermo started well. They played with lots of energy and really wanted to get an early goal," he said. "We found it difficult to get out, but we got our goals at just the right moments and were able to control the game." Palermo began the match full of confidence and Abel Hernandez shot into the side netting in the first minute. Strike partner Javier Pastore, reportedly on Inter president Massimo Moratti's shopping list, then had two chances.