Vlahovic Stunner Secures Historic Coppa Italia Win for Juventus

In the Italian Cup final on Wednesday, Dusan Vlahovic gave Juventus the lead and defeated Atalanta, who had not won a championship in sixty years. In a fairly dull final in Rome, Serbian striker Vlahovic's goal in the fourth minute was enough for Juventus to win the cup for the fifteenth time.

Before the final, Massimiliano Allegri's team had only won three games since the end of January. However, Vlahovic's goal which was also disallowed for offside in the second half frustrated Atalanta from the start.

With their victory on Wednesday, Juventus the most successful and well-liked team in Italy broke their trophy drought of three years. In previous seasons, Napoli and the Milan teams had eclipsed them.

Due to his poor play this season, Allegri who was sent off late has been linked to a summertime dismissal from Juventus, and he has made indications that his second stint as coach may soon 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 had an incredible season for the usually regional team, and they were favorites to win their first major award since taking home the cup in 1963.

Nevertheless, Gian Piero Gasperini's squad was unable to get past a well coordinated Juventus defense, which prevented the attack-oriented Atalanta from scoring any goals.

With ten minutes left, Ademola Lookman's shot off the base of the post was the closest Atalanta got to leveling the score.

Now, Atalanta's focus is on securing Champions League football by winning Serie A and the Europa League final the following week.

"We were up against a good team who went in front straight way and defended very well. I don't think we played badly... they didn't do any more than we did," said Gasperini.

Allegri dismissed

Vlahovic introduced himself as the main spoiler as he raced through to grab Andrea Cambiaso's ball and score his 18th goal of the year, leaving the spectators anticipating the Atalanta spectacle.

Although Vlahovic has been wasteful at times this season, Allegri was able to play the game he likes most—packing the defense and fending off Atalanta's attacks—thanks to his decisive finish.

After he scored, not much occurred in the first half, mostly because Juventus insisted on nothing happening.

Five minutes after the interval, Ademola Lookman came dangerously near with a deflected attempt, but in the 65th minute, it was Vlahovic who came dangerously close to double Juventus' advantage.

After being supplied by Federico Chiesa, the 24-year-old sped past two defenders before Marten de Roon and goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi combined to thwart his close-range strike.
Subsequently, Lookman struck his shot against the post, and shortly afterward, Fabio Miretti, the Juventus midfielder, struck the crossbar in one of the few true dramatic moments of the match.

When Atalanta pushed for an equalizer and a foul on Danilo wasn't called right away in the area, referee Fabio Maresca sent a straight red card to Allegri, who was under immense pressure to win the match.