23 April 2024
Juventus qualified for the Italian Cup final in May with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Lazio in the semi-finals.
The Bianconeri’s two goal first-leg advantage was wiped out by the 49th minute as Taty Castellanos’ double gave Lazio a two goal advantage.
However, with seven minutes to play Arek Milik pounced to reduce the deficit on the night and restore Juve’s advantage over the two legs as he finished off a cross from Timothy Weah.
The players celebrated at the final whistle knowing that their cup final appearance on May 18 not only keeps the dream of a trophy this campaign alive but also guarantees access to the Italian Super Cup next season.
THE MATCH
An intense opening 10 minutes saw little in the way of chances despite both sides aiming to make an early statement.
With 12 minutes on the clock, though, Lazio clawed themselves back into the tie from a corner kick. Luis Alberto’s deep cross was met by Taty Castellanos, who outjumped Alex Sandro to power his header into the top corner.
Ten minutes later Juventus came close to equalising on the night after a well-worked move through midfield allowed Adrien Rabiot to release Federico Chiesa in behind the home defence. Chiesa’s cross was met by Dusan Vlahovic inside the six-yard box, but his shot was blocked definitively by the feet of Cristos Mandas after defender Mario Gila had made an initial deflection.
From a corner kick of their own, the Bianconeri had another opportunity to draw level. Bremer met Filip Kostic’s outswinger but failed to keep his bullet header down.
With time running out in the first half, Mattia Perin was called on to make his first save of the match, and what an important save it was. Castellanos took advantage of a slip by Danilo to race in on goal.
One on one with the Lazio striker, Perin closed down the angles to make a fundamental block.
However, Castellanos did grab his own and his team’s second goal at the start of the second half. Again Felipe Anderson and Luis Alberto combined to release the Argentinian striker, who slotted his shot past Perin.
Juventus responded to seeing their first-leg advantage cancelled out.
Weston McKennie looked to set up Vlahovic, but Adam Marusic made a lunging saving tackle practically on his own goal line. A minute later Vlahovic found himself in a shooting position but dragged his effort wide of the goalkeeper’s far post.
Heading into the final 10 minutes, with extra time looming, both coaches made double substitutions.
Massimiliano Allegri’s double switch would prove decisive. Kenan Yildiz and Arkadiusz Milik replaced Weston McKennie and Dusan Vlahovic, and with the help of the Bianconeri’s first sub of the evening, Tim Weah, the Polish striker would find the crucial touch.
WIth seven minutes remaining, Kostic whipped in a cross which evaded the group of players in the heart of the penalty area. The ball was retrieved by Weah who attacked the Lazio defence and drove a tantalising cross in front of goal.
Milik arrived on cue to tap the ball in the net from a few yards out.
The players, those on the pitch and substitutes, all gathered to celebrate in front of the jubilant travelling support.
The goal knocked the wind out of Lazio and the five minutes of stoppage time were seen out without running any risks as Juventus booked their place in the final of the Italian Cup for a 22nd time.
LAZIO 2-1 JUVENTUS (HT: 1-0)(AGG: 2-3)
Scorers: 12′ & 49′ Castellanos, 83′ Milik
LAZIO: Mandas; Casale, Romagnoli, Gila (46′ Patric); Hysaj, Guendouzi (83′ Pedro), Cataldi (80′ Rovella), Marusic; Felipe Anderson (61′ Vecino), Luis Alberto; Castellanos (80′ Immobile). Subs not used: Sepe, Renzetti, Pellegrini, Gonzalez. Coach: Tudor.
JUVENTUS: Perin; Alex Sandro, Bremer, Danilo; Cambiaso (70′ Weah), McKennie (80′ Yildiz), Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Chiesa (91′ Alcaraz), Vlahovic (80′ Milik). Subs not used: Szczesny, Pinsoglio, Rugani, Djaló, Miretti, Nicolussi Caviglia, Iling Jr. Coach: Allegri.
Referee: Orsato
Bookings: 34’ Locatelli
