Dusan Vlahovic Fires Juventus To 15th Italian Cup Past Long-Suffering Atalanta
Dusan Vlahovic shot Juventus to the Italian Cup with the only goal in Wednesday's final against Atalanta who were denied a first trophy in six decades. Serbia striker Vlahovic'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 coming into the final but frustrated Atalanta from the moment Vlahovic, who also had a goal disallowed for offside in the second half, netted the only goal of the game.
Wednesday's win ended a three-year trophy drought for Juventus, Italy's most successful and widely-supported club who have been overshadowed by the Milan clubs and Napoli in recent seasons.
Poor performances this season have led to speculation that Allegri, who was sent off late on, will be sacked in the summer, and he hinted that his second spell as Juve coach is set to come 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 were fancied to win their first major honour since winning the cup in 1963 after a fabulous season for the traditionally provincial club.
However Gian Piero Gasperini's team couldn't find a way through a brilliantly organised Juventus defence which stopped attack-minded Atalanta from having a single shot on target.
The closest Atalanta came to levelling was when Ademola Lookman thumped a shot off the base of the post with 10 minutes remaining.
Atalanta now turn their attentions to sealing Champions League football