11 April 2023
Vicenza edged the second leg of the Serie C Coppa Italia final in a five-goal thriller and claim the trophy 5-3 on aggregate. The Next Gen confirmed the positive vibe about the project and a feeling of what might have been was be strong because for long stretches Coach Brambilla's boys believed they could pull off the comeback.
JUVE DRAW LEVEL ON AGGREGATE
It was Juve that had to take the match to the hosts to make up for the narrow first leg deficit. From the very first minutes. Brambilla's team poured forward and on 19 minutes Sekulov received a great ball from Soulé to lob on the onrushing Vicenza goalkeeper.
Next Gen were on top and in the 28th minute Iling-Junior and Da Graca caused havoc in the home penalty area, but couldn't finish. Vicenza proved in the closing minutes of the first half that at 1-0 for the Bianconeri the game was far from over.
ROLLERCOASTER SECOND HALF
The start of the second half exploded to life. Vicenza drew level three minutes after the restart with Ferrari who finsihed off a good team move started by Della Morte and continued by Valletti.
The Next Gen had to start over again. In the 55th minute Poli outjumped the home defence from a set piece to restore the Bianconeri's lead. Vincenza equalised for the second time on the night also from a header. Cappelletti met a corner in the 61st minute to put the ball beyond Daffara.
The match was more open than ever. Juve knew another goal would tip the tie in their favour. In the 80th minute, Pecorino and Compagnon came close to making the Next Gen dream come true.
Three minutes later, however, it was Ferrari who killed off the contest. Picking up a deep ball, he cut in and shot beyond Daffara.
Juve though had not thrown in the towel and in the 88th minute have a golden chance to give themselves a lifeline with a penalty kick. Iling-Junior blasted his spot kick over the bar. In the 92nd minute Compagnon crashed an effort off the upright, proof that it just wasn't to be.
Applause for to the Next Gen, but the Cup went to Vicenza.
POST-MATCH COMMENTS
MASSIMO BRAMBILLA
"After such a performance there is regret and disappointment, we deserved more. The episodes at the end of the first leg come to mind, the goal conceded and when we hit the crossbar. I congratulate Vicenza, but I have nothing to say against our players who played with heart and great quality. In the first half it went as we had planned and maybe we deserved an extra goal, then it's normal that you have to concede something to a team like Vicenza, you can't expect to dominate for 90 minutes. However, this year's progress is positive, the boys have grown, and now we have two games to earn our place in the Play-offs."
ALESSANDRO SERSANTI
"There is a strong sense of bitterness, we played a great game especially in the first half and we were good even after they equalised. However, congratulations Vicenza who are a strong team, we did our best. Now we have two games and we have to transform the disappointment of this game into the desire to make it to the playoffs. Losing hurts, but we'll roll up our sleeves."
Vicenza 3-2 Juventus Next Gen
Serie C Coppa Italia Final - second leg
Scorers: 19' Sekulov (J), 48' Ferrari (LRV), 56' Poli (J), 62' Cappelletti (LRV), 84' Ferrari (LRV)
L.R. Vicenza: Iacobucci, Valietti (79' Oviszach), Pasini (cap.), Cappelletti, Bellich (79' Sandon), Zonta, Greco (46' Cavion), Dalmonte (39' Dellsa Morte), Stoppa, Begic (68' Scarsella), Ferrari. Subs not used: Brzan, Confente, Corradi, Giacomelli, Rolfini, Mion, Ndiaye, Mores. Coach: Dan Thomassen.
Juventus Next Gen: Daffara, Riccio, Sekulov (78' Pecorino), Da Graca (69' Cerri), Poli (cap.)(82' Yildiz), Iling-Junior, Barbieri (69' Compagnon), Barrenechea (82' Besaggio), Soulè, Sersanti, Huijsen. Subs not used: Raina, Fuscaldo, Savona, Muharemovic, Cudrig, Bonetti, Lipari, Palumbo, Turicchia, Peeters. Coach: Massimo Brambilla.
Referee: Kevin Bonacina.
Bookings: 13' Greco (LRV), 23' Barbieri (J), 44' Ferrari (LRV), 72' Scarsella (LRV), 82' Riccio (J)
DAIII RAGAZZIIIIIII
NOOOOOOO
RECAP
E' la Juve a dover fare la partita, dovendo recuperare uno svantaggio maturato nella gara di andata. E così succede, fin dai primi minuti. La squadra di Brambilla attacca aggressiva e propositiva, e al quarto d'ora Sekulov ha una palla d'oro servita da Da Graca che non trasforma. Sono però le prove generali, perchè passano solo 3 minuti e ancora Sekulov è protagonista, stavolta col massimo risultato: gran palla di Soulé e Nikola segna con un pallonetto delizioso sul portiere vicentino in uscita.
La partita ha preso la direzione che la Juve voleva e ora la Next Gen cerca di dare il colpo di spalla: al minuto 28 Iling-Junior e Da Graca gettano scompiglio nell'area dei padroni di casa, che in qualche modo liberano. Per vedere il Vicenza bisogna superare la mezz'ora, quando Stoppa avrebbe fra i piedi una palla interessante ma sbaglia il tempo del passaggio decisivo e la difesa della Juve recupera.
Attenzione al Vicenza, però: gli ultimi minuti del primo tempo testimoniano che i biancorossi sono ancora vivi.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
SI PARTE
LA FORMAZIONE DELLA JUVE!
Daffara, Riccio, Poli, Huijsen; Barbieri, Barrenechea, Sersanti, Iling-Junior; Soulé, Sekulov, Da Graca.
A DISPOSIZIONE: Raina, Fuscaldo, Savona, Muharemovic, Compagnon, Cudrig, Bonetti, Lipari, Palumbo, Cerri, Besaggio, Pecorino, Turicchia, Yildiz, Peeters
LE PAROLE DEL MISTER IERI
C'è una Finale da ribaltare, un sogno da coronare!
Alle 20.30 fischio d'inizio di Vicenza-Juve, finale di ritorno di Coppa Italia di Serie C!
