The first leg takes place in Rome on Sunday, three days before the return match at the San Siro.

Both teams had high hopes at the start of the season and the Cup would have been bottom in their list of priorities.

But Inter finished third in Serie A, 14 points behind champions Juventus, while Roma ended up a massive 41 points off the pace in eighth position.

In Europe, Inter were knocked out by AC Milan in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and Roma failed to get beyond the first group stage.

"The lads have a burning desire to win the cup, it's the only way we can apologise to the fans for such a disappointing season," said Roma coach Bruno Conti, who is not expected to be in charge for next season.

"The Cup would be our present to the supporters, a way of saying sorry."

Conti, a World Cup winner with Italy in 1982, has told his players not to let emotions get the better of them in the home leg where a crowd of over 60,000 is expected.

"We have to be strong and avoid being reckless," he said. The players must not let their hearts rule their heads.

"We cannot afford to gamble everything in the first leg. The match will be won in the second leg at the San Siro and we have to be patient."

Inter Milan striker Christian Vieri will play no part in the first leg after straining his right hamstring playing for Italy in last week's World Cup qualifier away to Norway.

Neither can Inter coach Roberto Mancini call upon Colombian defender Ivan Cordoba, who has damaged ligaments in his right ankle.

Francesco Totti has recovered from a muscle strain and will lead Roma's attack, but midfielder Daniele De Rossi is suspended.

Inter, for whom success in the Cup would bring them their first piece of domestic silverware since 1989, have qualified for next season's Champions League but will have to overcome a two-leg third round qualifier to reach the first round group stage.

Roma failed to earn a European place through their league position, but because Inter are already in the Champions League next season they will take the UEFA Cup place that is awarded to the Italian Cup winners.

Roma have won the Cup seven times, Inter have won it on three occasions.