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A Coppa Italia win for Juventus was more than just a Champions League warm-up A Coppa Italia win for Juventus was more than just a Champions League warm-up
(35 minutes later)
Two down, one to go. The temptation to colour Juventus’s achievements in such terms was strong on Wednesday night. By adding a Coppa Italia triumph to the Serie A title that they claimed at the start of this month, the Bianconeri had put themselves within one victory of a famous treble. Even Giorgio Chiellini found himself telling reporters afterwards that the defeated finalists, Lazio, had “given us good practice for the Champions League”.Two down, one to go. The temptation to colour Juventus’s achievements in such terms was strong on Wednesday night. By adding a Coppa Italia triumph to the Serie A title that they claimed at the start of this month, the Bianconeri had put themselves within one victory of a famous treble. Even Giorgio Chiellini found himself telling reporters afterwards that the defeated finalists, Lazio, had “given us good practice for the Champions League”.
If the sentiment was well-intended, then it also did a disservice to the occasion. Winning the Coppa Italia is not something to be taken for granted – not by Juventus, who had not lifted this trophy for 20 years. Nor did Lazio deserve to be relegated to the status of a warm-up act. The Biancocelesti gave as good as they got for 90 minutes and more. With better fortune, they might have departed as victors.If the sentiment was well-intended, then it also did a disservice to the occasion. Winning the Coppa Italia is not something to be taken for granted – not by Juventus, who had not lifted this trophy for 20 years. Nor did Lazio deserve to be relegated to the status of a warm-up act. The Biancocelesti gave as good as they got for 90 minutes and more. With better fortune, they might have departed as victors.
This was a final that began with two goals by defenders inside the opening 11 minutes, Stefan Radu heading Lazio in front before Chiellini equalised with a spectacular volley. But the defining moments would ultimately be provided by a pair of strikers who came off the bench.This was a final that began with two goals by defenders inside the opening 11 minutes, Stefan Radu heading Lazio in front before Chiellini equalised with a spectacular volley. But the defining moments would ultimately be provided by a pair of strikers who came off the bench.
Filip Djordjevic, introduced by Lazio as an 83rd-minute substitute for Miroslav Klose, had been on the pitch for a matter of seconds when he found himself running clean through on the goal – only to misjudge a bouncing ball and waft it gently into the arms of keeper Marco Storari. Juventus replied by sending on Alessandro Matri, who immediately put the ball in the Lazio net. His celebrations were cut short by a disputable offside call.Filip Djordjevic, introduced by Lazio as an 83rd-minute substitute for Miroslav Klose, had been on the pitch for a matter of seconds when he found himself running clean through on the goal – only to misjudge a bouncing ball and waft it gently into the arms of keeper Marco Storari. Juventus replied by sending on Alessandro Matri, who immediately put the ball in the Lazio net. His celebrations were cut short by a disputable offside call.
Per servizio @SkySport Matri è fuorigioco con gomito (!!!) e spalla (???) Conoscere regole calcio no eh? #JuveLazio pic.twitter.com/UASW4HBCliPer servizio @SkySport Matri è fuorigioco con gomito (!!!) e spalla (???) Conoscere regole calcio no eh? #JuveLazio pic.twitter.com/UASW4HBCli
Had Juventus lost, that decision might have been pored over for days. Instead Lazio were the ones left ruing fine margins. At the start of extra-time, Djordjevic let fly from outside the box with a shot that crashed into the right-hand upright before rebounding across the goal and striking the left post as well. Somehow, it never crossed the line.Had Juventus lost, that decision might have been pored over for days. Instead Lazio were the ones left ruing fine margins. At the start of extra-time, Djordjevic let fly from outside the box with a shot that crashed into the right-hand upright before rebounding across the goal and striking the left post as well. Somehow, it never crossed the line.
Matri scored Juventus’s winner three minutes later, forcing the ball home after a Carlos Tevez shot was charged down. The substitute was a most fitting hero. As Juventus’s fourth-choice striker, Matri embodies the squad depth that has allowed the Bianconeri to compete on so many fronts. He also offers a reminder of how astute the club has been in the transfer market.Matri scored Juventus’s winner three minutes later, forcing the ball home after a Carlos Tevez shot was charged down. The substitute was a most fitting hero. As Juventus’s fourth-choice striker, Matri embodies the squad depth that has allowed the Bianconeri to compete on so many fronts. He also offers a reminder of how astute the club has been in the transfer market.
Signed initially from Cagliari in 2011, Matri helped Juventus to win consecutive Scudetti under Antonio Conte before being sold to Milan for €11m (£7.8m). This January, he returned on a loan deal in which the Rossoneri continue to pay half of his wages. While his parent club struggle in midtable, Matri has added two more trophies to his collection. Signed initially from Cagliari in 2011, Matri helped Juventus to win consecutive scudetti under Antonio Conte before being sold to Milan for €11m (£7.8m). This January, he returned on a loan deal in which the Rossoneri continue to pay half of his wages. While his parent club struggle in midtable, Matri has added two more trophies to his collection.
But of course, this victory was not his alone. Tevez was irrepressible once again, covering so much ground that Gazzetta dello Sport concluded he must possess “seven lungs”. Arturo Vidal was at his combative best in midfield. Andrea Barzagli effectively neutralised the threat of Felipe Anderson.But of course, this victory was not his alone. Tevez was irrepressible once again, covering so much ground that Gazzetta dello Sport concluded he must possess “seven lungs”. Arturo Vidal was at his combative best in midfield. Andrea Barzagli effectively neutralised the threat of Felipe Anderson.
Massimiliano Allegri also got his team selection just right, switching to the 3-5-2 formation that many expect him to use against Barcelona in Berlin next month. There might not be a defence in world football that could contain Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez completely, but few trios are better equipped to attempt the task than Leonardo Bonucci, Barzagli and Chiellini – Juventus’s very own BBC.Massimiliano Allegri also got his team selection just right, switching to the 3-5-2 formation that many expect him to use against Barcelona in Berlin next month. There might not be a defence in world football that could contain Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez completely, but few trios are better equipped to attempt the task than Leonardo Bonucci, Barzagli and Chiellini – Juventus’s very own BBC.
It is natural enough that thoughts should turn ahead to the Barcelona game. What is unfair, is to suggest that Juventus must still win the Champions League to validate their domestic achievements. Vittorio Oreggia, editor of Tuttosport, seemed to do just that when he concluded his front-page column by saying that the club’s season “is still missing a piece, or even The Piece”.It is natural enough that thoughts should turn ahead to the Barcelona game. What is unfair, is to suggest that Juventus must still win the Champions League to validate their domestic achievements. Vittorio Oreggia, editor of Tuttosport, seemed to do just that when he concluded his front-page column by saying that the club’s season “is still missing a piece, or even The Piece”.
Related: Juventus 2-1 Lazio | Coppa Italia final match reportRelated: Juventus 2-1 Lazio | Coppa Italia final match report
Such a verdict was hard to support when the headline at the top of the same page acknowledged that Juventus made history on Wednesday night. They are the first team ever to win the Coppa Italia 10 times, and will be permitted to add a silver star to their club badge next season.Such a verdict was hard to support when the headline at the top of the same page acknowledged that Juventus made history on Wednesday night. They are the first team ever to win the Coppa Italia 10 times, and will be permitted to add a silver star to their club badge next season.
It will accompany the three gold ones that they intend to finally display. The latter could have been included on the shirt this season, but Juventus declined in protest over the two titles that were stripped from them as a result of the Calciopoli scandal.It will accompany the three gold ones that they intend to finally display. The latter could have been included on the shirt this season, but Juventus declined in protest over the two titles that were stripped from them as a result of the Calciopoli scandal.
In the context of such protracted success, it is noteworthy that this is only the third time Juventus have won a domestic double. Their last came in the same season that they last won the Coppa Italia, 1994-95. Marcello Lippi was the manager back then, and the superstitious will note that he lost a European final (albeit the Uefa Cup) in the same campaign.In the context of such protracted success, it is noteworthy that this is only the third time Juventus have won a domestic double. Their last came in the same season that they last won the Coppa Italia, 1994-95. Marcello Lippi was the manager back then, and the superstitious will note that he lost a European final (albeit the Uefa Cup) in the same campaign.
Such managers as Carlo Ancelotti, Fabio Capello and Antonio Conte have been and gone in the meantime without ever repeating the feat. So while Allegri and his players ready themselves for Barcelona, the rest of us ought to step back and appreciate quite what they have already achieved.Such managers as Carlo Ancelotti, Fabio Capello and Antonio Conte have been and gone in the meantime without ever repeating the feat. So while Allegri and his players ready themselves for Barcelona, the rest of us ought to step back and appreciate quite what they have already achieved.