They will be Juventus and Atalanta to compete for the Italian Cup next May 15th at the Olympic stadium. Allegri against Gasperini: two coaches at odds, but united by the same desire to raise a trophy to the sky. Max to silence the criticism, Gian Piero to crown a splendid journey that began eight years ago.
Italian Cup, the final will be Juventus-Atalanta: Goddess in search of glory
There Juventus he secured the pass for the final thanks to Cesarini’s goal in the area Milik which thwarted Lazio’s comeback. Despite the bombastic poker, Atalanta also suffered against a numerically inferior Fiorentina, spreading only in recovery. For the last act of the competition they find themselves against two clubs used to competing for different objectives: the Lady boasts a showcase full of trophies, while the Goddess displays only one Italian Cup won way back in 1962/63. But – as we know – in a one-off match the coat of arms doesn’t count. Indeed, Atalanta arrives with sky-high morale, given that they have the possibility of reaching the end in the Europa League too. Juve, on the other hand, with i nerves on the skin and a bench that creaks like never before.
Allegri against Gasperini: two different ways of interpreting football
During his – so far unexciting – second adventure at the helm of Juventus, Cheer up has repeatedly reiterated a concept: “Football is a simple thing”. Thanks to injuries and a squad not up to the level of Cristiano Ronaldo’s years, the Livorno coach was careful not to take them first. The 4-3-3 has never been seen under the Mole. Chiesa-Yildiz-Vlahovic a trident from the first minute only dreamed of by the fans. Go ahead with the 3-man defense, go ahead with the short-faced philosophy. Which rewarded the Bianconeri until the Italian derby at the beginning of February with the top spot at stake. From there the collapse and the fierce criticism, with only three successes in 14 games. Gasperinihowever, made Europe fall in love (again) with its football. Liverpool humiliated at Anfield, physical and spectacular football, excellent results. Planning and work: this is how Atalanta became a big name in Italian football.
Allegri-Gasperini, comparison noticeboards: Gian Piero’s mission
With the Scudetto dream gone and despite the disappointing results, Allegri is in line with the objectives set at the beginning of the season: trying to win the Italian Cup and return to the Champions League. Of course, his second era with Juventus was stingy with successes, but the former Milan player can count on an impressive list of achievements: six league titles, four Italian Cups and three Super Cups, as well as two Champions League finals (lost). In reverse, Gasperini’s noticeboard is still empty. Yet over the course of these eight years with the Nerazzurri he came close to winning the tricolour, he led the Dea to the Champions League quarter-finals, he valorised talents sold at their weight in gold, he enchanted. He lacks the high pitch. The seal. The last step. And who knows, maybe he decides to fill up on ‘titles’. Italian Cup plus Europa Leaguethe combo to touch the sky with one finger.
