Juventus win third Coppa Italia trophy in a row / Image via yahoo.com
A strong 45 minutes was all Juventus needed to win their third successive Coppa Italia title and lift first of potential three trophies this season.
The Old Lady were completely in control of the Cup final against Lazio after going two goals up after only 24 minutes. Dani Alves got on the mark with a wonderful – and arguably unintentional – strike, whereas Leonardo Bonucci doubled the lead as he buried the ball into the back of the net after a corner kick.
As Juventus celebrate Cup success, here are the five things we learned tonight:
Juventus are Lazio’s kryptonite
Two of Italy’s most prominent sides meet regularly in major domestic competitions – Serie A and Coppa Italia – but the records neither flatter Lazio nor do they illustrate this team’s ability and potential. Biancocelesti can freely say Juventus are their kryptonite as they lost last nine matches against Serie A champions, failing to score in last seven. To make numbers stand out even more, Lazio last defeated Juventus in 2013 Coppa Italia semi-finals with only one draw sneaked within their last 14 encounters.
Lazio simply seem to be unable to find the right formula they would apply in order to break the hoodoo and get what would definitely be a morale-boosting win for Biancocelesti. Perhaps it would also remove the apparent mental block which kicks in when Lazio stand in front of Juvnetus, but it does not look as if that win would come any time soon.
Bianconeri boast impressive attacking options
Juventus’ domestic dominance has long been confirmed, but the current season has seemingly seen Juventus move one step higher when it comes to their squad depth, quality and attacking potential.
Such a leap forward was evident throughout the season, both on domestic and international scene, with head coach Max Allegri being blessed with such a quality side to choose from. Impressive attacking potential of Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Gonzalo Higuain as three players who are expected to score goals is followed by attack-oriented teammates whose main roles are not adding goals. Former Barcelona superstar Dani Alves stands as the biggest example of them all.
Dani Alves continues to shine
The experienced Brazil international right-back is enjoying a brilliant run of form. Former Barcelona man was one of the most valuable players in Juventus’ Champions League semi-final tie against AS Monaco with three assists and a goal from two matches against an exciting side. The Brazilian demonstrated he is master of ghosting into positions with his constant runs down the right-hand side and he fully delivered once more against Lazio.
The 34-year-old Brazilian is defying time with his sizzling performances for Bianconeri and is using every opportunity he gets at the biggest stage to show Barcelona just what it is they are missing.
Juventus in strong position to win the treble
Bianconeri would have ideally loved to head into the Coppa Italia final as newly-crowned six-time-in-a-row Serie A champions, but a drop of form and a complacency wave saw them miss two chances to wrap the domestic title – with a draw against Torino and a loss to AS Roma last time out.
There is no doubt that the Cup crown will be a huge wing in the back for Bianconeri, who are welcoming Crotone at the weekend. It is hard to envisage anything other than Juventus winning that match and grabbing their much-deserved trophy. With a double in sight, Juventus stand in strong position to win the coveted treble as well as they used the Wednesday’s match against Lazio to send a strong message to Real Madrid.
This is Juventus’ year and it seems that no one can stop them from claiming the thing they had been denied two years ago against Barcelona.
Lazio have bright future in front of them
Poor performance against Juventus aside, Lazio deserve an honourable mention in this article. Former Lazio player is growing together with his team and is thriving in his first managerial role with Biancocelesti. Former striker started off with Lazio youth side he managed for six years before being handed a caretaker role following the sacking of Stefano Pioli. Inzaghi was originally replaced by Marcelo Bielsa but the Argentine’s decision to suddenly quit turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the club.
Inzaghi is doing miracles with a young squad which is of 25.5 years of average age. Lazio’s main players this season are a bunch of young guns not older than 24 years – Wallace (22), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (22), Keita Balde (22) and a ‘veteran’ in this category Felipe Anderson (24).
Should Lazio succeed to preserve the core of their team this summer and build on strong foundations they have within their ranks, there is no doubt they will present a force to be reckoned with in the future.
JUVENTUS: Neto 7 – Barzagli 6.5, Bonucci, 8, Chiellini 7.5, Alex Sandro 7.5 – Rincon 6.5, Marchisio 6.5 – Alves 8, Dybala 7.5 (Lemina 6), Mandzukic 7 – Higuain 6.5
Unused subs: Asamoah, Audero, Benatia, Buffon, Cuadrado, Kean, Leris, Lichtsteiner, Mattiello, Sturaro.
LAZIO: Starkosha 6.5 – Bastos 6 (Anderson 6), de Vrij 6 (Alberto 6), Wallace – Basta 6.5, Parolo 6 (Radu 6), Biglia 7, Milinkovic-Savic 6.5, Lulic 6 – Immobile 6.5, Keita 6
Unused subs: Adamonis, Crecco, Djordjevic, patric, Hoedt, Lombardi, Murgia, Tounkara, Vargic.
REFEREE: Paolo Tagliavento
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