Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Atalantavs.Juventus

sportsmole.co.uk, 13 May 2024, 16:47
Contesting the Coppa Italia final for the second time in four years, Atalanta BC and Juventus meet at Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.

Two members of Serie A's top six will convene in the capital, where La Dea seek a first major trophy for 61 years and their rivals aim to get back in the winners' circle after a rare lean spell.

Match preview

Approaching the climax of what could be an historic season at the Bergamo club, Atalanta are set to make their first appearance in the Coppa Italia final since losing to Juventus three years ago, when Federico Chiesa's second-half strike secured a 2-1 win for the Bianconeri.

To date, the Nerazzurri's sole triumph in Italy's national cup came back in 1963, while they have lost four times in the final, with current coach Gian Piero Gasperini being in charge for both of the last two.

This year, their run to Rome featured wins over Sassuolo and AC Milan, before a thrilling second-leg comeback edged out Fiorentina in the semi-finals: Ademola Lookman and Mario Pasalic scored deep into stoppage time to dramatically turn the tie in La Dea's favour.

Long renowned as a tactical maestro, but never quite able to grasp the game's most glittering prizes, Gasperini would delight in lifting a trophy to cap his impressive career, and after contesting this week's showpiece at Stadio Olimpico, his team could yet claim silverware in Europe too.

Having already eliminated Sporting CP and Liverpool, Atalanta recently saw off Marseille in the Europa League semis and will soon meet unbeaten German champions Bayer Leverkusen in the Dublin decider.

Sunday's 2-1 league win over Roma - earned by two early Charles De Ketelaere goals - should have been by a much greater margin, but nevertheless leaves Gasperini's men occupying fifth spot in Serie A, which would prove sufficient to secure a Champions League return.

In fact, they have now drawn within four points of fourth-placed Juventus, with one game in hand: the clubs' drew both of their league meetings this season, but even if it takes extra time and penalties, there must be a winner on Wednesday.

While the weight of history bears down on La Dea's shoulders, Juventus are also under pressure to return home with the cup: by their high standards, they are enduring an unacceptable trophy drought, having last lifted silverware when pipping Atalanta in 2021.

Beaten by old foes Inter Milan one year later, the Bianconeri have been off the pace in Serie A for some time now, and this season's attempt at taking part in the Scudetto race simply came apart at the seams.

Juve may have qualified for the Champions League after a one-year absence - with their place sealed on Sunday, by Atalanta's win over Roma - but a once-promising campaign is now in danger of descending into mediocrity.

Having drawn each of their last five matches - most recently, being held at home by already-relegated Salernitana - Max Allegri's men are now fourth in the standings and some 25 points adrift of irrepressible Inter.

It took a late leveller from Adrien Rabiot to spare the Old Lady's blushes on Sunday evening, when a 1-1 draw made it just three wins from 17 for a team previously in contention for the Italian title.

Allegri's future has therefore been called into question, as such a streak shines more light on his team's turgid playing style, which contrasts starkly with Gasperini's fluent football in Bergamo.

If he is to depart Turin this summer, one year before the end of a substantial contract, the Tuscan coach will at least hope to sign off for the second time by claiming Juve's record-extending 15th Coppa Italia.

Atalanta BC Coppa Italia form:

W

W

L

W

Atalanta BC form (all competitions):

W

W

D

W

W

W

Juventus Coppa Italia form:

W

W

W

L

Juventus form (all competitions):

D

D

L

D

D

D

Team News

Though he starred in Atalanta's semi-final second-leg triumph over Fiorentina, in-form striker Gianluca Scamacca also picked up a booking that means he must miss a final in his home city due to suspension.

Having recently confirmed his loan move from Milan will be made permanent, Charles De Ketelaere scored his 12th and 13th goals of the season on Sunday and could be shifted up front to replace Scamacca; Ademola Lookman or Aleksei Miranchuk would then occupy a supporting role.

Emil Holm and club captain Rafael Toloi are still sidelined, while the Nerazzurri will also be without Sead Kolasinac, who sustained a thigh injury against former club Marseille in the Europa League semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Juventus hope to have Brazilian duo Danilo and Alex Sandro available, after both returned to training on Monday; Timothy Weah is back from a one-match ban, and Federico Chiesa has recovered from an illness that saw him benched against Salernitana.

However, Turkish teenager Kenan Yildiz is struggling with a shoulder problem and wing-back Mattia De Sciglio may also miss out again.

Mattia Perin is Juve's cup goalkeeper, so regular first-choice Wojciech Szczesny is set to step aside for the final.

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:

Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Hien, Djimsiti; Zappacosta, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners, Lookman; De Ketelaere

Juventus possible starting lineup:

Perin; Gatti, Bremer, Rugani; Cambiaso, McKennie, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Chiesa, Vlahovic

We say: Atalanta BC 2-1 Juventus (after extra time)

After over 60 years of waiting, Atalanta can celebrate Coppa Italia success again, as they are the more accomplished side and take some stellar form with them into Wednesday's final.

Previews by email

Top News

24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich director of sport Max Eberl has branded Leon Goretzka "an important part of the team", with the German giants working to keep hold of the central midfielder. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Closing out this gameweek 12's Premier League action, Newcastle United and West Ham United vie for three precious points at St James' Park on Monday evening. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid returned to second spot in the La Liga table and moved to within four points of the leaders Barcelona courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Leganes in Sunday night's clash at Estadio Municipal de Butarque. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Leeds have reached the Championship summit after winning 4-3 away to Swansea in an enthralling encounter. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester United's new era under Ruben Amorim got off to the perfect start - before it ended in familiar fashion at Ipswich. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Trent Alexander-Arnold is a major doubt for Liverpool's blockbuster Champions League clash against Real Madrid this week. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester United's new era under Ruben Amorim got off to the perfect start with a goal inside two minutes against Ipswich. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has joined an exclusive Premier League managers' club thanks to the Reds' thrilling 3-2 fightback win over Southampton at St Mary's. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City are reportedly interested in signing Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson in January. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Southampton have topped the standings in an unwelcome statistic after sloppily conceding at home to Liverpool. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Leicester City have announced they have parted company with manager Steve Cooper. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Arne Slot has continued his flying start to life in Liverpool after beating Southampton 3-2 at St Mary's Stadium. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Estevao Willian further extended his record-breaking season in the Brasileiro as Palmeiras defeated Atletico Goianiense on Saturday night. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool passed one of the most difficult examinations of their Premier League title credentials yet as they fought back from a goal down to triumph 3-2 over a spirited Southampton side at St Mary's. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City have announced the departure of manager Steve Cooper, with the 44-year-old being sacked off the back of Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly stepping up their attempts to sign Lille attacker Angel Gomes, with the North London club potentially getting a deal done during the January transfer window. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Manchester City will reportedly go head-to-head for the signature of Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres during next summer's transfer window. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Wayne Rooney is preparing a move for a young Liverpool striker who is the son of an ex-Birmingham City star. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk From dark horses to genuine contenders for the Serie A crown, Atalanta BC now hope to enhance their Champions League credentials on Tuesday, when they visit BSC Young Boys. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are once again expected to be without the services of Lamine Yamal for Tuesday's Champions League contest with Brest, as the 17-year-old continues to battle an ankle problem. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aberdeen, looking to bounce back from their first league defeat of the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season, will travel to the Easter Road Stadium on Tuesday to take on basement dwellers Hibernian. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will be aiming to record their fourth Champions League victory of the campaign when they welcome French outfit Brest to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday night. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Malang Sarr's time at Chelsea was largely forgettable. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Kyle Walker has been offered a harsh reminder his career at the top level may be over after a tough game against former employers Tottenham. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On the back of contrasting results on the fourth matchday of the 2024-25 Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen and Red Bull Salzburg cross paths on Tuesday evening in their latest European affair. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Wayne Rooney admits he'd like to partake in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, but an appearance isn't imminent. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich remain without the services of Joao Palhinha for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain, which could mean a start in central midfield for Leon Goretzka. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Paris Saint-Germain will welcome Marquinhos back into their side for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Jamie O'Hara had plenty to say after Tottenham Hotspur's rampant 4-0 win at Manchester City. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Former Chelsea defender Malang Sarr has admitted that he was affected by comments made by Mauricio Pochettino during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Tomorrow at 17:30
A
Empoli Empoli
-
sch
Udinese Udinese
Thu 28 Nov, 17:45
EL
Qarabag Qarabag
-
sch
Lyon Lyon
Thu 28 Nov, 20:00
EL
Nice Nice
-
sch
Rangers Rangers