Supercoppa Italiana 2008

Lore & Background

The match proved to be a tightly contested affair. After exchanging goals, it appeared that Inter Milan was on its way to victory on Mario Balotelli's goal on the 83rd minute, however, Mirko Vučinić tied the game for Roma at the 90th minute. Extra time settled nothing. In the penalty shoot-out, it appeared that a miss by Inter Milan's Dejan Stanković would be decisive, however, Roma captain Francesco Totti missed the team's fifth shot, which would have given his team the cup. In the seventh round, Roma's Juan missed while Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti scored, ending the match in favour of the Serie A champions.

In Their Own Story

The air in Beijing hung heavy and humid, contrasting sharply with the cool Milanese evenings the players were used to. Under the floodlights of the Bird's Nest, the grass felt different beneath their boots. Javier Zanetti looked around at the sea of faces, a mix of Italian supporters and curious locals. The whistle blew, cutting through the noise. Every tackle echoed in the vast arena, every pass counted against the clock ticking toward extra time.

Reader's Guide

The match took place on 24 August 2008 in San Siro, Milan.

Did You Know?

• To date, this remains the only occasion on which manager José Mourinho won a trophy by a penalty shoot-out.