Dusan Vlahovic secured Juventus‘ victory in the Italian Cup with the only goal in Wednesday’s final against Atalanta, who were denied their first trophy in six decades.
The Serbian striker’s fourth-minute strike was enough for Juve to claim the cup for the 15th time in a largely uninspiring final in Rome.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side had won just three matches since the end of January leading up to the final but managed to frustrate Atalanta after Vlahovic, who also had a goal disallowed for offside in the second half, scored the game’s only goal.
Wednesday’s win ended a three-year trophy drought for Juventus, Italy’s most successful and widely supported club, who have recently been overshadowed by the Milan clubs and Napoli.
Poor performances this season have fueled speculation that Allegri, who was sent off late in the match, will be sacked this summer, and he hinted that his second spell as Juve coach might be coming 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,” said Allegri to 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, favored to win their first major honor since capturing the cup in 1963, had a fabulous season but were thwarted by a brilliantly organized Juventus defense that prevented them from having a single shot on target.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s team struggled to break through Juve’s defensive setup, with their best chance coming when Ademola Lookman struck the base of the post with 10 minutes remaining.
Atalanta now shift their focus to securing Champions League football through Serie A and preparing for next week’s Europa League final. The Bergamo club, currently fifth in Italy’s top flight, will face Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin in their first-ever European final.
“We were up against a good team who went in front straight way and defended very well. I don’t think we played badly… they didn’t do any more than we did,” said Gasperini.
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Allegri sent off
With fans anticipating an Atalanta showcase, Vlahovic took on the role of spoiler by rushing forward to collect Andrea Cambiaso’s pass and smashing home his 18th goal of the season.
Though Vlahovic has been inconsistent at times this season, his emphatic finish allowed Allegri to deploy his favored strategy: packing the defense and fending off Atalanta’s attacks.
After Vlahovic’s goal, the first half remained largely uneventful, thanks to Juve’s defensive tactics.
Ademola Lookman came close with a deflected shot five minutes after the break, but it was Vlahovic who nearly doubled Juve’s lead in the 65th minute. The 24-year-old, fed by Federico Chiesa, skipped past two defenders, but his close-range effort was stopped by Marten de Roon and goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi.
Vlahovic thought he had secured the cup for Juve with 17 minutes remaining, meeting another Cambiaso ball to head in a goal, only for it to be ruled out for offside.
Lookman then hit the post, and shortly after, Juve midfielder Fabio Miretti rattled the crossbar in one of the game’s few dramatic moments.
The match ended with Allegri being sent off after he lost his temper with referee Fabio Maresca when a foul on Danilo wasn’t immediately called as Atalanta pushed for an equalizer. Enraged, Allegri threw his jacket and tie to the ground and ranted at officials, as Juve directors tried to pull him away. He later returned, fully dressed, to celebrate the cup victory.