Lazio and Sampdoria will go head to head in the Italian Cup final at Rome's Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday knowing that the winners will secure a place in Europe next season.
In what has been a largely disappointing campaign for both teams, leaving them out of Europa League qualifying contention, this final represents to the winner not only a chance of silverware but also seasonal salvation.
At the very least the final offers a breath of fresh air following four consecutive finals between Inter Milan and AS Roma.
Both sides have won this trophy four times with Lazio's last success coming in 2004 and Sampdoria's most recent 10 years before that.
Lazio possibly have a slight advantage in that Rome's Stadio Olimpico is where they play their home league matches but Samp coach Walter Mazzarri is confident his team can upset the odds.
"Out of superstition I never like to use the word victory before a match," he said. "We have to try to do that without thinking too much about it. We have to go to Rome in the right frame of mind.
"In these types of matches it's the little details that make the difference and we have to try to be strong in those moments.
"For us it's very important to be in the final again after 15 years and to be able to bring a huge number of our fans to Rome.
"Already that is great success and if we can go one step further it would be the cherry on the cake."
For Lazio president Claudio Lotito the most important thing is to get into Europe next year in what he said had been a season of under-achievement.
"In my opinion, the team that we had this season was capable of competing with anyone," he said. "And in some matches we proved that but unfortunately we suffered from some nerves, especially in matches we should have won."
(AFP via China Daily May 13, 2009)
