Rafael Benítez’s Inter Milan win the 2010 TIM Cup

Rafael Benítez enjoyed his first success with Inter Milan as the reigning Italian champions won the 2010 TIM Cup with a 3-2 penalty victory over their city rivals.

The TIM Cup is an annual tournament involving AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus. Each side plays 45 minutes matches and if the scores are level, a penalty shootout decides the winner.

A win after 45 minutes is worth three points while a victory on penalties secures two, with the losers in the shoot-out given a consolatory point.

In the first match Juventus were beaten by Inter courtesy of a speculative long-range strike from Esteban Cambiasso. The next tie saw AC Milan and Juventus level at the final whistle with Ronaldinho and Diego on the scoresheet in a 1-1 draw. The Rossoneri emerged victorious after a narrow 4-2 win on penalties.

It meant the final clash was between the two bitter Milan rivals. Massimiliano Allegri, the AC Milan manager, opted to change his team from the side which overcame Juventus in the previous round.

Unsurprisingly, a tight and tense unofficial Derby della Madonnina was decided on penalties and it was Inter who secured their sixth TIM Trophy.