Juventus 2-0 Lazio: Juve win Coppa Italia for third time in a rowBy Charlotte Marsh
Last Updated: 17/05/17 10:32pm
Juventus made history on Wednesday as they became the first side to win three consecutive Coppa Italia titles after beating Lazio 2-0 in Rome. Massimiliano Allegri's side ultimately had the result sewn up in the first half and although they were tested by Lazio in the second period, they managed to keep their opponents at bay. Dani Alves gave Juventus the lead in the 12th minute as he volleyed home from a fine Alex Sandro cross and the Brazilian added another assist as he whipped in a corner for Leonardo Bonucci to slot home 12 minutes later. It was the first step in a series of trophy-deciding matches for the Old Lady, who are targeting the treble. They can seal their sixth Serie A title on Sunday before facing Real Madrid in the Champions League final on June 3.
The Stadio Olimpico clash started well as Keita Balde nearly gave Lazio a seventh-minute lead. The Senegal forward smashed an effort off the near post at point-blank range before Gonzalo Higuain tried his luck at the other end from around 25 yards, but his thunderous volley was pushed away by Thomas Strakosha.
Alves gave Juve the lead in the 12th minute. Sandro picked him out with a sublime long pass as the Brazilian drifted between the Lazio defence before volleying home, a high bounce sending the ball over Strakosha's head.
Juve could have added more to their tally eight minutes later but some fine work from the Albanian goalkeeper kept them at bay. He twice denied Paulo Dybala from long range, with the second save landing at the feet of Alves. He in turn squared the ball to Higuain, who was lurking in the six-yard box, but his shot was blocked by the feet of Strakosha.
Allegri's side did not have to wait long for their second though which came four minutes later as Sandro again turned provider, whipping in a corner that allowed Bonucci to tap home from the six-yard box after his run went unmarked by the Lazio defence.
But Lazio could twice have pulled goals back as the game drew towards half-time. Ciro Immobile headed just wide in the 35th minute after a fine pass from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic before the Serbian could only direct a header into the hands of Juve goalkeeper Neto as the referee brought the first half to a close.
Eight minutes into the second period and Lazio made their second substitution as Felipe Anderson was introduced to the game and he almost had an instant impact as his curling effort towards the top-right corner forced a good save from Neto.
The Juve stopper was in action again not long after as Anderson's cross found Immobile at the back post, but Neto made a reaction save to keep the header out - with goal line technology confirming the ball did not make it over the line - before Keita smashed the rebound into the side netting.
Juventus had fewer chances in the second half but could have added a third with 18 minutes of normal time to play. Alves danced his way past Senad Lulic on the right-hand side, cutting back for Higuain but the striker's effort was blocked.
The Argentine striker then powered his way to the touchline two minutes later, but no Juventus player made the run to tap home his inviting ball across the face of goal as it trickled wide.
With 10 minutes to play, Lazio nearly snuck home a reply as Wallace nodded on another fine Anderson cross, but Immobile could only sky his header over the crossbar with the linesman's offside flag already raised.
But despite pressure from the Rome side, they were not able to find their way past a famously resolute Juventus defence who lifted their 11th Coppa Italia title.
http://www.skysports.com/football/juventus-vs-lazio/369677 [ 此帖被羅力亞在2017-05-18 09:47重新編輯 ]
