Dusan Vlahovic Propels Juventus to 15th Italian Cup Victory Over Atalanta

In the Italian Cup final on Wednesday, Dusan Vlahovic gave Juventus the lead and defeated Atalanta, who had not won a championship in sixty years. In a fairly dull final in Rome, Serbian striker Vlahovic’s goal in the fourth minute was enough for Juventus to win the cup for the fifteenth time. Before the final, Massimiliano Allegri’s team had only won three games since the end of January. However, Vlahovic’s goal—which was also disallowed for offside in the second half—frustrated Atalanta from the start.

With their victory on Wednesday, Juventus—the most successful and well-liked team in Italy—broke their trophy drought of three years. In previous seasons, Napoli and the Milan teams had eclipsed them.
Due to his poor play this season, Allegri—who was sent off late—has been linked to a summertime dismissal from Juventus, and he has made indications that his second stint as coach may soon come to an end.

“If I’m gone next season, because I’ve already been sacked in the media, we’re in the Champions League and have won a trophy,” Allegri told Mediaset.

“We’ve done everything we were supposed to do, get into the Champions League and reach a final, the boys did really well to win it.”
Atalanta had an incredible season for the usually provincial team, and they were favorites to win their first major award since taking home the cup in 1963.

Nevertheless, Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad was unable to get past a superbly coordinated Juventus defense, which prevented the attack-oriented Atalanta from scoring any goals.
The closest Atalanta came to equal was when Ademola Lookman banged a shot off the base of the post with 10 minutes remaining.

Now, Atalanta’s focus is on securing Champions League football by winning Serie A and the Europa League final the following week.
In their maiden European final, the fifth-placed Bergamo club takes against Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin.

“We faced a strong team who quickly took the lead and played excellent defense. They didn’t do any better than we did, so I don’t think we played poorly,” Gasperini remarked.

Allegri Removed

Vlahovic introduced himself as the main spoiler as he raced through to grab Andrea Cambiaso’s ball and score his 18th goal of the year, leaving the spectators anticipating the Atalanta spectacle.
Although Vlahovic has been wasteful at times this season, Allegri was able to play the game he loves most—packing the defense and fending off Atalanta’s attacks—thanks to his decisive finish.

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After he scored, not much happened in the first half, mostly because Juventus insisted on nothing happening.
Five minutes after the break, Ademola Lookman came dangerously close with a deflected attempt, but in the 65th minute, it was Vlahovic who came dangerously close to double Juventus’ lead.

Federico Chiesa set up the 24-year-old, who then skipped past two defenders before goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi and Marten de Roon combined to thwart his close-range strike.

With 17 minutes left, Vlahovic again connected with a Cambiaso ball to head perfectly, giving Juve the impression that they would win the cup. However, the goal was disallowed for offside.

Then, in one of the few true dramatic moments of the game, Lookman struck his attempt off the woodwork, and shortly after, Fabio Miretti, a midfielder for Juventus, rocked the crossbar.

Under duress, Allegri was sent off in the final moments of the game by referee Fabio Maresca after the coach lost all patience with him as Danilo’s foul in the area went uncalled as Atalanta battled for an equalizer.

Juve management attempted to remove Allegri from the pitch after he lost control and hurled his jacket and tie on the ground. Allegri then went back to being fully clothed to celebrate winning the cup.