Lazio rewarded after 'year of sacrifice' - Rossi
Fans clash with police in Rome
A beaming Delio Rossi described Lazio's Coppa Italia triumph on Wednesday as "just reward" for the hard work of his squad throughout the season.
Lazio edged Sampdoria 6-5 on penalties to lift the Italian Cup after the final at the Stadio Olimpico finished 1-1 following extra-time.
Uruguayan keeper Fernando Muslera saved efforts from Antonio Cassano and Hugo Campagnaro before Ousmane Dabo scored the decisive spot-kick to give the Romans their fifth Italian Cup triumph and a place in next season's Europa League.
Captain Tommaso Rocchi, a second-half substitute, was Lazio's only player to miss in the shoot-out.
"A lot went into chasing a success like this," Rossi said.
"I think it's a just reward for these lads after a year of sacrifices.
"I'm very happy."
Rocchi dedicated Lazio's cup triumph to club president Claudio Lotito.
"We have had our difficult moments and we have overcome them," said Rocchi.
"We also won because our president was so eager to get a trophy. We dedicate it to him.
"We would also like to apologise to our fans for the difficulties we have had in the championship."
Sampdoria coach Walter Mazzarri was gracious in defeat.
"It was a worthy final. We and Lazio both honoured it," Mazzarri said.
"We're sorry for our fans, but that's the way it went. That's football. That's life."
Meanwhile, Lazio fans clashed with police and tried to smash shops in Rome city centre following Wednesday's win over Sampdoria, police said in a statement yesterday.
Rome's Stadio Olimpico will host the Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona on May 27 despite several episodes of football violence in the city in recent years.
Police said three arrests had been made before and after Wednesday's Italian Cup final at the Olimpico but added that five police officers had been injured.
At the weekend, Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno played down fears of a police strike over pay and conditions during the Champions League final.
In a separate matter, judicial sources in Italy also said the Naples villa of Real Madrid and Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro, who is poised to move back to former Serie A club Juventus this summer, had been seized for a third time by authorities because of construction offences.