ROME – A final is a final and that's important for us, for Palermo, for everyone. In this case it's two trophies that only one team, only one captain, will lift tomorrow, and it will be the last trophy lifted in Europe this season, the last of all." In the press conference held at the Stadio Olimpico this evening, on the eve of the Coppa Italia final between Inter and Palermo, Leonardo described what his first Coppa Italia final means: "It hasn't been an easy year for us, and although in my opinion it has already been a positive one, we really do want to end the season with a trophy, which would be this team's third." The coach was asked if winning this cup could fulfill his desire to prove himself: "I don't have that need; I don't see this as a personal target. That would mean devaluing what it really means to win the Coppa Italia."
This year's competition is made even more important by the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Italian unification. "I have a lot of ties with this country," said the Nerazzurri coach, "and I'm pleased the unification is being remembered on this occasion because it evokes certain values and a desire to shape the future. Maybe it's the right time to be talking about certain things, because this is a moment of change for Italy. I'm Brazilian but I feel very close to all of this."
Leonardo ended by describing the opponent Inter will have to get the better of if the Nerazzurri are to win their seventh Coppa Italia: "Palermo have been playing the same way for years. They'll be without Bacinovic and Bovo, but they have plenty of alternatives, and generally speaking even when they change a few things around the team still has the same playing style: technique combined with an attacking mindset. They are a very good side. Which of their players do I fear the most? I don't think there's any one in particular, because they have lots of options."
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