Dusan seals cup success over Atalanta | OneFootball

Juventus lifted the Italian Cup for a record 15th time following a 1-0 win over Atalanta in Rome.

The game's only goal was scored by Dusan Vlahovic on four minutes. The striker had a second goal disallowed for offside in the second half, while Fabio Miretti hit the crossbar in the closing minutes.

The Bianconeri were on top of their game from the first to the last whistle and celebrations started in earnest when Danilo lifted the cup to the Roman skies.

THE MATCH

The approach from kick-off was aggressive and determined, and was rewarded inside the opening five minutes.

Bremer played the ball to Weston McKennie inside the centre circle, who laid off to Andrea Cambiaso, whose first time pass released Dusan Vlahovic.

The striker still had it all to do but with strength held off Isak Hein’s attempts to muscle the ball from him, and with Marco Carnesecchi racing off his line, fired the ball beyond the advancing goalkeeper.

It was the number 9’s second cup final goal and his second of the cup run this season.

Five minutes later a corner kick from Hans Nicolussi Caviglia, replacing the suspended Manuel Locatelli, was flicked on by McKennie at the edge of the six-yard area. Federico Gatti just couldn’t react quickly enough to divert the ball home from close range.

Atalanta’s first opportunity arrived on 35 minutes when Charles De Ketelaere fired wide of Mattia Perin’s goal.

Cambiaso then set off on a solo run, galloping to the edge of the Atalanta box, but his shot swerved off target.

The last action of the first half saw Mario Pasalic on the slide attempt an effort, which was blocked by Gatti, leaving Perin a saveless first period.

Atalanta pushed forward at the start of the second half. Bremer, faultless throughout the match, crucially deflected Ademola Lookman’s drive just wide of the far post.

On 54’ Juventus claimed a penalty when Hein pushed Vlahovic off the ball. For the referee the shoulder to shoulder challenge was clean.

Ten minutes later Federico Chiesa fed Vlahovic, who from a tight angle was denied a double by Marten De Roon’s partial block. Dusan was denied again on 73 minutes, this time by VAR.

Another delivery from Cambiaso was flicked home by Vlahovic. The Olimpico exploded in joy only for the merest of offside decisions saw the goal eventually disallowed, keeping the advantage at just one goal.

Inside the closing 10 minutes, Lookman hit a shot off the outside of the post while Juventus again came close to doubling their lead when Fabio Miretti burst into the area to smash his shot off the crossbar.

Massimiliano Allegri was sent off as tension rose as the game entered stoppage time, when Perin was called on to make his first save of the match to deny Ederson.

Allegri eventually returned to the scene after the final whistle to celebrate a record fifth personal Italian Cup success as coach and the 15th in club history.

JUVENTUS 1-0 ATALANTA (HT: 1-0)

Scorers: 4’ Vlahovic

JUVENTUS: Perin; Gatti, Bremer, Danilo; McKennie, Cambiaso (80′ Weah), Nicolussi Caviglia (61′ Miretti), Rabiot, Iling-Junior; Chiesa (69′ Yildiz), Vlahovic (80′ Milik). Subs not used: Szczesny, Pinsoglio, Kostic, Alex Sandro, Kean, Rugani, Alcaraz, Djalo. Coach: Allegri.

ATALANTA: Carnesecchi; De Roon (65′ Toloi), Hien (58′ Scalvini), Djimsiti; Zappacosta (58′ Hateboer), Pasalic (58′ Miranchuk), Ederson, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners, Lookman; De Ketelaere (46′ Toure). Subs not used: Musso, Rossi, Bakker, Adopo, Bonfanti. Coach: Gasperini.

Referee: Maresca

Bookings: Hien, Vlahovic, Djimsiti, Bremer