Juventus wins the 2023/24 Italian Cup by beating Atalanta 1-0! First trophy for Allegri 2.0 in black and white.
Vlahovic opens the score, Atalanta gets off to a timid start. Plays of light, the Mameli anthem sung a cappella by Al Bano, then the football played: the last act of the Italian Cup between Atalanta and Juventus in the setting of the Olympic stadium. We start off strong straight away, the game ends in less than 4 minutes, which is what Cambiaso needs to find a vertical path in which to let Vlahovic run, having started on the edge of offside, and the Serbian to beat Carnesecchi. Very good opportunity for Juventus to double their lead shortly afterwards, but Gatti is not reactive on McKennie’s side. Too timid start, but Atalanta is also slowly starting to emerge. He tries to turn on Lookman solo a couple of times but is always rejected. The best chance of the first half for the Dea happens on De Ketelaere’s left foot, served by Koopmeiners: the ball goes to stars. In the 45th minute, the last delicious ball, Pasalic tries to kick from the edge of the area but Gatti is providential in blocking. Juve returns to the locker room ahead 1-0.
One pole on each side, the result does not change. Gasperini wastes no time and makes corrections to Atalanta upon his immediate return to the field: De Ketelaere is out and El Bilal Toure replaces him. Atalanta returns with a different and more combative spirit, immediately coming close to equalizing with Lookman: deflected, his right-footed shot goes just wide. Juve protests due to a contact by Hien on Vlahovic not sanctioned by referee Maresca, who actually later warns the Serbian for protests. Juventus waits low to lean vertically on the attackers, especially Vlahovic. Gasperini revolutionizes the Dea and finishes the substitutions between 59′ and 65′ (also due to De Roon’s injury): one of the new arrivals, Miranchuk, volleys well from Ruggeri’s cross but with too much force. In the 72nd minute, another assist from Cambiaso, this time a precise cross, again for Vlahovic who heads in from two steps but – after having unleashed his celebration – sees the potential doubling canceled out. From one front to the other, Atalanta’s most dangerous player is still Lookman, stopped by the post in the 80th minute. And from one woodwork to the other, given that three turns of the clock later Miretti, served on the run by the other substitute Milik, hits the crossbar squarely. The last ball to equalize it goes to Ederson, but is blocked by Perin. Like the last time Juve and Atalanta faced each other in the Italian Cup final, it is the Bianconeri who are celebrating.
