A final with reversed roles. Atalanta-Juventus winner number 78 of the Italian Cup will decide, but this time the Bianconeri are not starting as favourites: the trend of the last period, in fact, sees the Bergamo players starting ahead, albeit slightly. It seems incredible considering the amount of wages and coat of arms, yet Gasperini's Goddess presents herself at the Olimpico event with more chances than the Lady, both in terms of the technical and mental aspects. Allegri has the task of reversing the prediction and giving Juventus the 15th Italian Cup, perhaps as a farewell gift after three years of shadows and (few) lights.
Atalanta – Juventus (21pm, Channel 5)
Let's start by saying that it will be a record-breaking final. Atalanta and JuventusIn fact, they will compete under the eyes of 180 countries, as well as a completely sold out Olympic stadium. A great show, in short, for a match that has everything to not disappoint expectations. It is above all the people from Bergamo who promise fire and flames, both for the undeniable desire to raise a trophy to the sky (the last one, also Coppa Italia, dates back to 1963), and for the offensive DNA that characterizes them. Gasperini, in the saddle since 2016, has brought the club to an unimaginable level, but he too wants to seal the path with something tangible. He will have two opportunities to do so between now and next Wednesday, the day of the Europa League final, but if Bayer Leverkusen is very scary, the same cannot be said of this Juventus, also stopped by Salernitana and flying into the Champions League thanks to Atalanta .
Underestimating the Bianconeri, however, would be an unforgivable mistake, because Allegri won't shine with offensive play and spectacle, but he knows perfectly how to win trophies. If Gasperini, in fact, has an almost non-existent palmares (at team level, because individually he can boast two golden benches and as many awards as best AIC coach), Max is delighted with Scudetti (6, 5 with Juve and 1 with Milan ), Italian Cups (4, record tied with Eriksson and Mancini) and Italian Super Cups (3, 1 with Milan and 2 with Juve), to which we must add the two Champions League finals (lost) in 2015 and 2017. In short, it is better not to play too much with fire, also because Atalanta, as seen against Roma, has the dangerous tendency to start strong and fall to the distance, risking suffering sensational comebacks. Furthermore, the Bergamo players will have to do without striker Scamacca (disqualified), even if the De Ketelaere admired on Sunday makes you sleep soundly.
Allegri: "To win we will have to be good and lucky, but the goal was the Champions League"
“We have a 50% chance of winning, we will have to be good at bringing the episodes to our side, knowing that with them the games never end – explained Allegri in the press conference -. If we are good and a little lucky we will be able to take it home, at the moment everyone is considering Atalanta the favorite and for us tomorrow could even be the last final. We will need clarity, serenity and concreteness, then if the opponents have been better we will shake their hands. I repeat ad boredom, the main objective was for Juventus to participate in the next Champions League. There are times in life when, if you can't win, you can still guarantee a little treasure to society: we'll see if we win, but taking part in these events isn't for everyone. We will play with great respect for Atalanta, as in previous finals. Matches must be won on the pitch, and you also need the conviction to bring home the Cup."
Gasperini: “Incredible season, but we're missing the last mile: we want the Cup!”
“Being here is a source of pride because five years have passed since the first final and there are few players left – Gasperini's words -. We changed a lot, from a first to a third Atalanta, but we had motivation, spirit and identity. For me the most important thing is that the club has positioned itself in a bracket that allows it to play these matches often. In the past I said that the Italian Cup was the only possible trophy, because the Champions League and the Scudetto are too distant for our possibilities and even thinking about the Europa League was difficult, but these guys were splendid with an incredible journey. The route was extraordinary, but now the last mile is missing and we want to reach the final. They say we are favourites? This matters little, it's clear that we arrive with enthusiasm and Juventus with results below expectations, but we will meet a very strong team."
Atalanta – Juventus, the probable lineups
- Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Scalvini; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners; Lookman, De Ketelaere
- Coach: Gasperini
- On the bench: Musso, Rossi, Bakker, Adopo, Toloi, Hateboer, Pasalic, Bonfanti, El Bilal Touré, Miranchuk
- Unavailable: Holm, Kolasinac
- Disqualified: Scamacca
- Juventus (3-5-2): Perin; Gatti, Bremer, Danilo; McKennie, Cambiaso, Nicolussi Caviglia, Rabiot, Iling Jr; Church, Vlahovic
- Coach: Allegri
- On the bench: Szczesny, Pinsoglio, Rugani, Alex Sandro, Djalò, Alcaraz, Kostic, Miretti, Weah, Milik, Kean, Yildiz
- Unavailable: De Sciglio
- Disqualified: Pogba, Fagioli, Locatelli