Formula and pairing teams
The format of 2009-10 tournament is the same of the previous year. Seventy-eight clubs are elegible for the competition, all teams belonging to Football League, and the best squads of Pro League and Serie D. The rather unusual two-leg final was eliminated two years ago: a single-match final would be played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome[1].
The format for pairings is as follows:
First phase: one-leg fixtures
First round: Serie C and Serie D clubs are paired
Second round: Serie B clubs enter
Third round: Serie A clubs not competing European cups enter
Fourth round: the 16 winners of Round 3 are paired
Second phase: one-leg fixtures
Round of 16: 8 first phase winners are inserted into a bracket with seeds 1-8
Quarterfinals: pairings based upon bracket
Semifinals: two-leg fixtures
Final: one-leg fixture in Rome