Juventus on Wednesday beat Atalanta 1-0 to win a record-extending 15th Coppa Italia as an early strike by Dusan Vlahovic earned Massimiliano Allegri’s side their first trophy in three years.
Juventus, who hold both the record for most Coppa Italia finals played (22) and won (15), had not lifted any silverware since they won the competition in 2020-2021, when they also beat Atalanta in the final.
Allegri became the first coach to win the Coppa Italia five times after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Roberto Mancini lifted the trophy on four occasions.
Photo: AFP
Vlahovic put Juventus in front in the fourth minute when he latched onto a pass from Andrea Cambiaso and broke inside the box to send the ball past goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi.
Vlahovic, who also found the net when they lost the final to Inter in 2022, became the third Juventus player to score in two Coppa Italia finals after John Charles (1958-1959 and 1959-1960) and Savino Bellini (1937-1938 and 1941-1942).
Serbian striker thought he doubled the lead in the 72nd minute, nodding home a lofted Cambiaso cross after the ball bounced in front of Carnesecchi and went into the net, but the goal was disallowed for an offside.
Juventus quickly switched to defending their lead, creating chances on the counter attack, while preventing Atalanta from registering a single shot on target in the entire game.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side had more possession throughout the match but an effort from outside the box by striker Ademola Lookman that hit the post in the 80th minute turned out to be their best chance.
Atalanta, who on Wednesday next week to face Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League final, have reached two different finals for the first time in a single season.
It was Atalanta’s fifth straight Coppa Italia final defeat after they won their sole title in 1962-1963.
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Taiwan kept its hopes of advancing to the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) alive with a 9-1 victory over South Africa in a qualifier at the Taipei Dome last night, backed by solid pitching. Bouncing back from Friday’s struggles on the mound, when Taiwanese pitchers surrendered 15 runs to Spain, Team Taiwan kept the visiting team in check, allowing just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. The win was crucial for Taiwan, as a loss would have eliminated the team from contention for the next WBC. Starting pitcher Sha Tzu-chen (沙子宸) struck out one and allowed no hits, except for
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