Italian Super Cup – Mourinho Wins Again

It took more than 90 minutes but the outcome was similar to their last win back in 2006, as Internazionale are winners of the first Cup of the season, walking away with Super Cup silverware yesterday evening.

New signing Sulley Muntari scored first for home-side Inter in the 18th minute (what an amazing start for him as a Nerazzurri.) which would also be the only goal of the half.  Midway through the second half Daniel De Rossi of Roma scored a goal of his own making things all even.  Two additional goals came late in the match, scored by the young Inter forward Mario Balotelli and by Roma striker Mirko Vuninic.  

Tied 2 – 2 at the final whistle, teams had to face both extra time and penalties to decide the winner.  In the final analysis it would come down to team capitans during the penalty shootout with Javier Zanetti getting the job done and Francesco Totti failing to score after hitting the woodwork.  

Inter win 6 – 5 on penalties.

Football Italia Channel 4 – This is Mourinho’s first piece of silverware in Italian football and since taking over at Inter.“I have always had a bad record with penalties, losing the Cup in England last year and then the Champions League semi-final. Plus my Chelsea, albeit with another Coach, lost the Champions League Final on spot-kicks.“I want to point out that I have won the Italian Super Cup, but I could only participate in it because Mancini won the Scudetto, so he deserves a portion of this trophy for all the good work he did with this team.

Goalscorers: Muntari 18 (I), De Rossi 59 (R), Balotelli 83 (I), Vucinic 90 (R)

Lineups
Inter: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Cambiasso, Burdisso (Rivas 89), Maxwell; Zanetti, Stankovic, Muntari; Figo (Balotelli 66), Ibrahimovic, Mancini (Jimenez 70)

Roma: Doni; Riise (Tonetto 77), Mexes, Juan, Cassetti; Pizarro, De Rossi; Aquilani (Okaka 86), Perrotta (Totti 84), Baptista; Vucinic
Ref: Saccani

additional references:
Yahoo Eurosport (AFP) – Mourinho starts Inter stint with Super Cup triumph

Just Added – Video Highlights 

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Headlines from Italy this morning

Jose Mourinho, wants Ricardo Quaresma to come to Inter
Muntari praised for his start at Inter
Inter president Moratti overjoyed in Inter glory
and Sheva lands in Milan