How AC Milan became 2011 Supercoppa Italiana contestants
The Rossoneri will be featuring in their first Italian Super Cup since 2004 when they beat Lazio with a Shevchenko hat-trick to lift the trophy at the San Siro in front of more than 33,000 spectators. The year 2004 also marked the last time Milan ever knew domestic cup glory until last season when they finally clinched the Scudetto.
The huge spending of the Rossoneri during the 2010 summer transfer certainly paid-off. Ex-Barcelona striker Ibrahimovic, former Manchester City flop Robinho and 2010 World Cup Ghanaian star Kevin-Prince Boateng turned out to be great additions for Adriano Galliani’s team.
AC Milan finished the 2010/11 Serie A season with 82 points and an unmatchable (+41) goal difference whereas Internazionale had to settle for the second spot with 76 points as the Nerazzurri’s treble dream faded away.
How Internazionale became 2011 Supercoppa Italiana contestants
However, Inter got their very own revenge against the Rossoneri in the Coppa Italia without getting to affront them face to face.
From the Round of 16 to the quarter-finals, Milan recorded wins against Bari and Sampdoria respectively. But in the semis, eventual beaten finalists Palermo stunned the Diavolo in a two-legged affair which ended 4-3 on aggregate.
Meanwhile, Inter held on to their hopes to make their wish of retaining the Coppa Italia come true. After ousting Genoa in the Last 16, the Nerazzurri defeated Napoli 5-4 on penalties in a nerve-racking match which produced nothing in terms of goals in normal and extra time.
Inter’s semi-final battle didn’t lack excitement as AS Roma surrendered to defeat before Palermo failed to seal their conquest of Milan’s giants.
Three things to know about the Supercopa Italiana involving Inter and Milan
Fact 1: Inter and Milan are joint at the top of the charts as the most successful teams in the history of the Supercoppa Italiana. Both have won the trophy 5 times and finished as runners-up thrice.
Fact 2: Inter have won the Supercoppa Italiana 4 times during the past 10 years whereas AC Milan have claimed the title only once in the 21s century.
Fact 3: The 2011 Italian Super Cup won’t be played in Italy but in China, at the Beijing National Stadium. In 2009, this venue hosted the one-match contest which Inter eventually lost to Lazio. For the second time in 3 years, the Beijing National Stadium will be the ground for the Supercoppa Italiana.
They say history has the power of shaping the present. Should this be true, what will the 2011 Italian Super Cup’s AC Milan vs Internazionale match produce on Saturday, August 6?
