Coppa Italia (2011–12)

Lore & Background

The tournament featured 78 clubs from Serie A, Serie B, Lega Pro, and Serie D. The format included a first phase of one-legged fixtures, starting with 36 teams from Lega Pro and Serie D, then adding Serie B teams, then Serie A sides seeded 9-20, and finally a fourth round. The second phase began with the round of 16, where the eight fourth-round winners joined the Serie A clubs seeded 1-8, followed by one-legged quarterfinals, two-legged semifinals, and a final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

In Their Own Story

The rain had just ceased at the Stadio Olimpico, leaving the pitch glistening under the floodlights. In the away section, a sea of azure scarves waved frantically as the referee blew the final whistle. A roar, primal and deafening, rose from the throats of thousands who had waited twenty-five years for this moment. Marek Hamšík collapsed to his knees, tears mixing with the sweat on his face, while Edin Džeko was lifted onto shoulders by teammates who knew they were holding history in their hands. In that instant, the ghosts of the past were laid to rest; the city of Naples had its king back, and the sky above Rome turned a shade of deep blue.

Reader's Guide

The competition is divided into sections (Section 1 through Section 8), each with match details for the first, second, third, and fourth rounds. After the elimination rounds, the final stage includes a bracket, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals (first and second leg), and the final.

Did You Know?

• Napoli won the 2011–12 Coppa Italia.
• Internazionale were the cup holders.
• The final was held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.