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JUVENTUS - NAPOLI - Saturday, May 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 p.m. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti Allegri: 'Winning never bores me' May 22, 2015 Max Allegri speaks of the 'dream' of the Juventus triplete and says winning all the time is a 'nice monotony'. The Bianconeri already conquered the Coppa Italia and the Scudetto, and the Champions League final against Barcelona on June 6 gives them an opportunity to pick up the coveted treble. “What can I say? I'm pleased,” said Allegri in today's Press conference. “I'm just happy about what we've done so far, and what we're doing with this campaign. “We must enjoy this extraordinary moment. As I've often said, seasons like this occur very rarely in one's career. “Making it to the final sprint in three different competitions, two of which we have already bagged, is a dream. So we'll have to be skilled and lucky against an extraordinary team. “That said, it's normal that someone should be pleased and satisfied upon attaining results of such importance.” Allegri was also asked whether Italy CT Antonio Conte, who sent him a message to congratulate him after winning the Scudetto, had contacted him again. “You mustn't be monotonous in life, sometimes you must invent something. But I received a very beautiful message from President [Massimo] Cellino. I still have an extraordinary bond with him. “Winning isn't something that should be taken for granted. But that does make for a nice monotony, if you can call it that, because there are many different ways of winning and it's never easy. “Today people talk as though winning the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia had been a given. A few days from now they might just be saying that of reaching the Champions League final. “Me, I believe this is an important year for the club and for the players. It's proof that this is an extraordinary group. “I'm delighted and privileged to have them with me. And I'm happy for the supporters too. “I perceive a lot of enthusiasm. I felt that in Rome when we played the final, and I feel it in the city, in the air. It will make tomorrow evening a beautiful one to remember.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI - Saturday, May 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 p.m. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti Allegri: ‘Stay cool, Juventus’ May 22, 2015 Max Allegri stresses the importance of Juventus staying free of 'stress and anxiety' in the season's finale. The Bianconeri play the first of two remaining Serie A games this Saturday against Napoli. While the Scudetto is already theirs, their boss has refused to see the games as meaningless. “As in everything else, you've got to strike the right balance between training and giving playing time to those who need it,” said Allegri in today's Press conference. “Our game against Napoli tomorrow doesn't mean anything in terms of the Scudetto, but it counts towards the streak of undefeated games at home. “And it's important because we must play a good game from the technical point of view. “We still have to improve on that, as well as on intensity and character. We need to pull off some excellent performances that will let us achieve our results. “These two championship games are useful, along with the training sessions, to keep up the physical and mental condition. “We can't think about resting until June 6, otherwise we should unplug everything and stay in bed until that date, because we'd be worried about getting hurt. “In life you've got to have some fatalism. We must keep working with a cool mind and prepare these two remaining games in the best possible way. “After Saturday we can rest for three days, especially because this team hasn't been given half a day off since the end of February, especially when we had the international break. “Much like there's a need to work, there's also a need to rest. Besides, we also need to prepare ourselves for this [Champions League] Final. “But we must do so with serenity, with no excessive stress. We can't go to Berlin riddled with anxieties or we won't even be able to run. “Slowly, one step at a time, one day at a time, we'll prepare ourselves for the games we've got left.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

Xavi Admires Long Time Andrea Pirlo May 22, 2015 Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez complimented Juventus midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo, calling the Italian international the most talented player he’s ever faced. The two legendary midfielders will square off on June 6 in Berlin as their respective clubs battle to lift the Champions League trophy. “I have faced Pirlo for 16-17 years now and have always admired his style of play,” Xavi stated at a press conference announcing his move to Qatari club Al Sadd for a three-year contract at the end of the season. The 35-year old Spaniard who, like Pirlo, has tasted the pinnacle of success for both club and country, winning league titles, Champions League medals and lifting the World Cup trophy, will face the Juventus play-maker for the last time in Berlin and hopes Pirlo continues playing. “He said if he wins the Champions League he will retire, so I hope to not let him quit,” Xavi added.

'Never expected Juve's perfect season' May 22, 2015 Fernando Llorente admits nobody at Juventus could have expected such a successful season, whilst discussing the future of Paul Pogba. With the Serie A and Coppa Italia titles already in the bag, the Bianconeri only need to win the Champions League Final against Barcelona on June 6 to emulate Inter's historic 'triplete' of 2010. In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Llorente was asked whether he was expecting these results for his team. “To be honest, no. None of us could have anticipated this, winning the championship, the Coppa Italia and now playing for the Champions League Final,” replied the Spaniard. “So far the only regret was that of losing the Italian Supercup to Napoli, otherwise it would have been the perfect season. But let's hope we can culminate our campaign in Berlin against Barca. “I don't think the three-man defence system we used against Lazio was deployed with a view to playing against Barcelona, but now we must prepare the upcoming game perfectly, because it's going to be extremely hard. “Whether I get to play in the final is going to be down to the Coach. To be honest, Alvaro [Morata] and [Carlos] Tevez are doing very well and it's going to be tough, but I'll do my best to be ready when the team needs me.” The 30-year-old was then asked by the Catalan publication about Juve's most prized mercato asset, 22-year-old Paul Pogba. “I foresee an incredible future for him. He can turn into anything he likes. He's very young and he'll have to refine many things, but he's got the quality. “An heir to Xavi? You can never tell where he's going to end up. Now he's a Juventus player and let's hope he stays a few more years, because it's a pleasure to play by his side. “As for myself, I don't think about the future, I'm very happy at Juventus and I still have two years left in my contract.”

Bartomeu: Barcelona Are Obliged To Keep Tabs On Players Like Pogba May 22, 2015 Barcelona president Josep Marie Bartomeu has confirmed the Blaugrana are keeping tabs on Juventus starlet Paul Pogba. The 22-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with a move away from the Bianconeri after consistent performances in the Serie A since leaving Manchester United back in 2012, and Bartomeu admits the Spanish club have taken notice of the Frenchman. “We follow many players, it is an obligation that Barcelona has,” Bartomeu told RAC1 when asked about Pogba. “We are interested in different players who play with a style similar to ours. Bartomeu also took time to praise Massimiliano Allegri’s Bianconeri side, warning Barcelona to avoid complacency ahead of the Champions League final between the two clubs on June 6. “The final against Juventus? They have also won the Coppa Italia. They are a strong team with good players and a good coach. “

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI - Saturday, May 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 p.m. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti Juventus V Napoli – Preview: Partenopei Need Victory Over Double Winners May 22, 2015 Napoli travel to Turin to face double winners Juventus on Saturday evening with the knowledge that only a victory would be enough to exert pressure on their Roman rivals for the Champions League spots. The Partenopei currently sit fourth, just three points behind Lazio and four behind Roma ahead of their derby meeting on Monday. However, with this clash coming a couple of days before, Napoli would be able to climb up to third with a victory. Both sides will enter the game in impressive form having won four of their last six Serie A matches, though Rafael Benitez’s best results have generally come at the Stadio San Paolo. This will be the 138th meeting between the two and the Bianconeri hold a heavy lead in the overall victories, with 62 to Napoli’s 29; a difference that is even more pronounced in games in Turin. The Partenopei have only won seven away games against Juventus – most recently in 2009, but more than half of those victories came before 1960. Indeed, Massimiliano Allegri’s side have lost just once in the last eight games against Napoli, who have yet to register a goal in their three visits to the Juventus Stadium to date, though have conceded eight. Leonardo Bonucci enters the game on the verge of a personal landmark, needing just one more Serie A appearance to reach 200; 160 of those games have been for the Bianconeri, along with 38 for Bari and a single game – and single minute – for Inter at the start of his career. With Carlos Tevez likely to sit this game out in order to ensure he is primed and ready for the Champions League final, Allegri may well look to Alessandro Matri for goals; he has yet to net in Serie A since his return from Genoa, though his next goal will be his 80th in Serie A. Kingsley Coman is also an option. Stephan Lichtsteiner suspended for the hosts, and with Allegri set to name a much changed line-up that could see Luca Marrone make his first Serie A appearance of the season. Simone Pepe, Paolo De Ceglie and Angelo Ogbonna are also expected to start. Kalidou Koulibaly will be absent for Benitez’s side through suspension, who will also be without Michu, Camilo Zuniga and Jonathan De Guzman, all of who will miss the last couple of games through injury. Form Guide: Juventus (W-D-W-W-L-W), Napoli (W-D-W-L-W-W) Expected Starting XIs Juventus: Storari; Padoin, Marrone, Ogbonna, De Ceglie; Sturaro, Marchisio, Pereyra; Pepe; Morata, Coman. Napoli: Andujar; Maggio, Albiol, Britos, Ghoulam; David Lopez, Inler; Callejon, Hamsik, Mertens; Higuain. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI - Saturday, May 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 p.m. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti Juventus - Napoli Preview: Double winners looking to maintain bright form Just days after winning the Coppa Italia, the Bianconeri are hoping to keep the momentum going with a Champions League final looming. May 22, 2015 Double winners Juventus will bid to keep the celebrations going on Saturday when they host a Napoli side still harbouring hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League. Having wrapped up the Serie A title at the start of this month, Massimiliano Allegri's men completed a domestic double on Wednesday with a 2-1 victory over Lazio in the Coppa Italia final. A final home game of the season gives Juve the chance to enjoy the moment with their fans, albeit with little to play for in the remaining two league matches. With the Champions League final against Barcelona still a fortnight away, Allegri may use this weekend's clash to rotate his squad, a move that paid dividends in the Coppa Italia final. Allegri introduced Alessandro Matri from the bench against Lazio and the striker netted the decisive goal to end Juve's 20-year wait to lift the trophy. "The characteristics of this team is that everyone has to be ready, even if they play five or 10 minutes," Matri told Rai Sport. "The Coppa Italia trophy was deserved for the whole squad that worked so hard to get here. Now we prepare for the next challenge. "The coach knows how to press the right buttons and the motivation comes by itself." Napoli will hope to face an under-strength side to boost their chances of qualifying for the Champions League. Rafael Benitez's team trail Lazio – currently third – by three points and will hope to apply some pressure ahead of the Rome derby on Monday. Turin is not a happy hunting ground for them, though, with no league win at Juventus since 2009 and they have failed to score on their previous three Serie A visits. Speculation around Benitez's future has clouded the build-up for the visitors, the Spaniard linked with a move to Real Madrid as a potential replacement for Carlo Ancelotti. Benitez's agent has denied those rumours and insists he is fully focused on returning Napoli to continental competition. OPTA FACTS This will be the 138th Serie A meeting between Juventus and Napoli: the Bianconeri have won 62 times so far, the Partenopei only 29 (46 draws). The Serie A 2014/15 champions have lost only one of their last eight league matches against Napoli (W4 D3). Napoli have won only once in their last 17 Serie A outings away to Juventus (3-2 in October 2009), losing 11 times in the process. Juventus have conceded goals in four of their last five Serie A matches. Napoli, on the other hand, have scored in each of their last seven league fixtures: 20 goals in total at an average of 2.9 per game. At home, Juventus are unbeaten in their last 46 Serie A games (41 wins, five draws). Napoli have won only one of their last seven league games away from home, losing five of these. Juventus and Napoli boast the joint-best Serie A attacks: 67 goals scored by both teams. LAST FIVE MATCHES Juventus W W D D W 5/20/15 - Juventus 2 - 1 Lazio 5/16/15 - Internazionale 1 - 2 Juventus 5/13/15 - Real Madrid 1 - 1 Juventus 5/9/15 - Juventus 1 - 1 Cagliari 5/5/15 - Juventus 2 - 1 Real Madrid Napoli W L D D W 5/18/15 - Napoli 3 - 2 Cesena 5/14/15 - Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 1 - 0 Napoli 5/10/15 - Parma 2 - 2 Napoli 5/7/15 - Napoli 1 - 1 Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 5/3/15 - Napoli 3 - 0 Milan HEAD TO HEAD 1/11/15 - Napoli 1 - 3 Juventus 12/22/14 - Juventus 2 - 2 Napoli 3/30/14 - Napoli 2 - 0 Juventus 11/10/13 - Juventus 3 - 0 Napoli 3/1/13 - Napoli 1 - 1 Juventus http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI - Saturday, May 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 p.m. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti Juve must compensate Napoli fan May 21, 2015 In a bizarre legal precedent, a court has ordered Juventus to pay €3,000 damages to a Napoli fan offended by crowd chants. The ruling was made by a justice of the peace from Torre Annunziata, near Naples, called Francesco Buonocore. Lawyer Giovanni De Angelis must be compensated €305 for the cost of the ticket, his train fare and stay in Turin, plus €1,000 for moral damage and legal fees for the first and second trials. In total, the club must shell out €3,000 to De Angelis, who was offended by chants during the Serie A game at the Juventus Stadium on November 10 2013. The court ruled he was forced to leave the stadium early, as the atmosphere in the stadium had become “unbearable” due to repeated insults aimed at Neapolitans. “During the first half, Juventus fans unveiled a banner calling for the eruption of Vesuvius and the death of the Neapolitan population. “The banner remained initially at the centre of the Curva, then moved lower down the stands, without the stewards removing it. “Juventus must bear responsibility because employees of the club did not take any steps to avoid or stop the shameful behaviour of their fans, even failing to invite them to cease via the tannoy system. “This action would’ve given a clear show of dissent and condemnation towards this behaviour.” In Italy the anti-Neapolitan chants are often treated the same way as racist insults, with full or partial bans on supporters for future games. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI - Saturday, May 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 p.m. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti Preview: Juventus vs. Napoli May 21, 2015 Two of Italian football's biggest clubs will meet on Saturday evening when Juventus take on Napoli in Turin. The Bianconeri have wrapped up a league and cup double and can extend their unbeaten home run to a second straight season, but their opponents will be on the hunt for three vital points as they bid to reach the Champions League. Juventus This season just keeps getting better with each passing week for Juventus and they are now on the verge of landing a historic treble for the first time in their 117-year history. Having already won the Serie A title earlier this month, they added the Coppa Italia to their growing list of honours by claiming a 2-1 victory over Lazio on Wednesday evening. They got off to the worst possible start by conceding inside of four minutes, but Giorgio Chiellini flicked in a quick equaliser and Alessandro Matri completed the comeback with an extra-time winner to seal a domestic double and their first victory in the cup for 20 years. Their next target is to win the Champions League final against Barcelona in two weeks, and if the La Liga giants manage to win the Copa del Rey final next weekend, then it will be a straight shootout to decide which club lands a treble. Massimiliano Allegri's side still have two games left until that European clash and their first order of business will be to finish their league campaign with an unbeaten home record for the second straight season. Their last defeat in Serie A in front of their own supporters came in a 2-1 reverse against Sampdoria over two years ago and they have gone 46 games since without a loss. They actually won every single home game in the league last time around and have dropped points just three times this season. The Bianconeri will be expected to rest a number of players this weekend following their cup success, but even without some of their key squad members, they are still a formidable foe and last weekend they were victorious against Inter Milan with a second-string lineup. Recent form in Serie A: W L W W D W Recent form (all competitions): W W D D W W Napoli While everything has been going perfectly for Juventus, the exact opposite can be said of Napoli, who have seen their season crumble around them in the past month. They seemed to have recovered from a bad run of form in March, by claiming three wins on the spin that saw them edge closer to the top three. However, a damaging 4-2 defeat against Empoli three weeks ago stopped them in their tracks. The Azzurri bounced back a few days later with a 3-0 win over AC Milan, but their inconsistency came back to haunt them in their next match, with already-relegated Parma holding them to a 2-2 draw. It seemed as if they would falter again on Monday evening after falling behind early on against Cesena, but they fought back to earn a 3-2 victory that has moved them to within three points of third-placed Lazio. That result means that they would move level with Lazio with a win against Juventus and crucially ahead of the Rome club based on their head-to-head record. Anything other than a win this weekend would seriously damage their Champions League chances and would leave them hoping for a Roma victory in the Derby della Capitale next Monday. That would ensure that they can still pip Lazio to third spot when they meet on the final day of the season. It is not just in the league where they have been poor, as they were dumped out of the Europa League by underdogs Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk last Thursday at the semi-final stage. Their cause has not been helped by the constant speculation surrounding manager Rafael Benitez and the Spaniard has recently been linked with a move to Real Madrid when his contract expires in the summer. Gonzalo Higuain has also been tipped to leave Naples, so the club could be in for a difficult time ahead trying to convince them to stay if they fail to land a Champions League spot. Recent form in Serie A: W W L W D W Recent form (all competitions): L W D D L W Team News Juventus will have to make do without Stephan Lichtsteiner, who sits the game out with a ban. He is expected to be replaced by Simone Padoin at right-back, while there could be a number of other changes to the team that started the cup final. Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Chiellini could all be rested, but Claudio Marchisio and Alvaro Morata are likely to start after being banned in midweek. Meanwhile, Kalidou Koulibaly is suspended for Napoli, so Miguel Britos should come into the defence to partner Raul Albiol. Higuain will come back into the starting lineup and Dries Mertens could keep his spot in the attack after scoring twice against Cesena, but Lorenzo Insigne may be chosen ahead of him. Juventus possible starting lineup: Storari, Padoin, Barzagli, Bonucci, De Ceglie, Sturaro, Marchisio, Vidal, Pereyra, Morata, Matri Napoli possible starting lineup: Andujar, Maggio, Albiol, Britos, Ghoulam, Lopez, Inler, Callejon, Hamsik, Mertens, Higuain Head To Head In this season's reverse fixture Juventus came out on top with a 3-1 victory over Napoli at the ​Stadio San Paolo. However, Napoli prevailed in the final of this season's Super Cup by beating the Old Lady in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw in Doha. The Azzurri don't have the worst record against their opponents, but they have not beaten Juventus away from home in Serie A since October 2009. We say: Juventus 1-1 Napoli Juventus will be regarded as the favourites heading into the match, but it remains to be seen what team Allegri will play just days after their cup win. Napoli are sure to be at full strength and know that anything other than a win could spell the end of their Champions League hopes. It is sure to be a competitive and hard-fought game in Turin and we believe that it will end all square. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI - Saturday, May 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 p.m. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti Juventus-Napoli Betting: Benitez's men to keep their Champions League dreams alive with a big win With a place at Europe's top table still up for grabs, Al Hain-Cole expects the fired-up Partenopei to take advantage of Massimiliano Allegri's distracted team by coming out on top. May 21, 2015 Napoli will attempt to keep their fading Champions League dream alive when they travel to Turin to take on Juventus in Saturday’s Serie A clash. Three points off third-placed Lazio with just two games to go, Rafa Benitez’s men are available at with William Hill to maintain the pressure until the final day of the season by coming out on top here. However, the champions added the Coppa Italia trophy to Scudetto in midweek, and are on offer at to take all three points in this one. The Bianconeri have now drawn three of their last four matches in all competitions, and you can get odds of on them settling for a point once again. Although six points may seem like an unrealistically large gap with just two games left to play, the remaining fixture list does offer the Partenopei some hope of making a late surge into the top four. With the Rome derby between second-placed Roma and third-placed Lazio also taking place this weekend, a victory here could well put Benitez’s side within touching distance of the top three as they head into the final match day to take on none other than the Biancocelesti themselves. The guests should, therefore, have no shortage of motivation as they travel to the Juventus Stadium to take on a side that could be forgiven for having their concentration fixed elsewhere. Having already lifted the league title and no doubt jaded from Wednesday’s extra-time cup final victory, Massimiliano Allegri’s side are unlikely to be at full throttle on Saturday, particularly with their upcoming Champions League final on the horizon. With this in mind, those odds could represent strong value on a fired-up Napoli taking advantage of Juventus’ lethargy by emerging victorious here. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NolftxDY69Q http://www.tuttosport.com/foto/calcio/coppa-italia/2015/05/20-996468/coppa_italia_juventus-lazio_il_film_della_partita/#1

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 1 after extra-time Stefan Radu (4') Giorgio Chiellini (11') Alessandro Matri (97') Coppa Italia TIM Final Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Juventus come through final test against Lazio with Coppa Italia win May 21, 2014 In 1958, Juventus president Umberto Agnelli asked the Italian Football Federation if they could commemorate the fact his side had won their 10th Scudetti by stitching a gold star on their shirts. A tradition was born. Fifty seven years later, his son Andrea will now request that they inaugurate a silver one to mark the club's 10th Coppa Italia. La Decima, as Tuttosport were calling it on Thursday morning, has been a long time coming. Twice the Old Lady had to file away her application for the stella d'argento (silver star) after losing finals to Parma in 2002, to Lazio in 2004 and Napoli in 2012, while their rivals Roma, also on nine, had the opportunity to pip them to it two years ago only to suffer a painful defeat to Lazio, the same opponents Juventus faced on Wednesday night. Captaining the team in place of Gigi Buffon who passed his gloves to cup goalkeeper Marco Storari, centre-back Giorgio Chiellini dismissed the notion that this is a Coppetta (a small trophy) that his club didn't care about winning. "Success never gets boring for us," he said. "Particularly those of us [like Buffon and the suspended Claudio Marchisio] who were there in Rimini, Crotone and Frosinone [when Juventus were relegated to Serie B after the Calciopoli scandal]." Taken personally by a clutch of core players, it has also assumed a renewed significance for the club, not only in the context of a prospective treble. "It's a special final," Chiellini added. "Because Juventus have gone without this trophy for too long. We sweat hard to get to this stage, burning a lot of energy [particularly in the semifinal when a 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina in Turin was improbably reversed with a remarkable 3-0 win in Florence], so it's a cup we want to win." The most telling comment of all, however, was another. "In the 10 years that I have been here, we have only played one final and I didn't like losing it," Chiellini reflected of their 2-0 defeat to Napoli in 2012. A single final appearance in a decade. Think about that. It's not a great deal of group experience in big one-off games like these. Stretching back further Juventus have lost their last six finals in all competitions [excluding the Italian Super Cup]. Interestingly, their last success in one came against Ajax in the Champions League in 1996 at the Stadio Olimpico, the setting for Wednesday's Coppa Italia showdown. So for La Stampa this was "finals training" and "a final test" -- a double entendre underlining how it represented both the last game of significance before the Champions League showpiece against Barcelona on June 6 and an examination of Juventus' ability to cope and deliver on these special occasions. It served as a "flight simulator" for Berlin, wrote Maurizio Crosetti in La Repubblica and as a live exercise it wasn't without turbulence. After losing 5-0 on aggregate to Juventus in the league this season, Lazio made an adjustment. They changed shape and played 3-4-3 for the first time. Much more competitive than a month ago when they had gone to Turin on an eight-game winning streak only to disappoint and be out-played, Stefano Pioli initially had his players press high and aggressively, crowd the midfield and make life uncomfortable for Juventus. Allegri's airplane had difficulty taking off and was grounded when Stefan Radu shouldered Lazio in front via a Danilo Cataldi free kick inside the opening five minutes. Had the "home side" held their advantage a while longer, settled and ascended to a state of calm and collectedness, then the outcome of this final could have been different. But Juventus got back level almost immediately through another dead-ball situation. A Pirlo out-swinger caused problems at the far-post, Patrice Evra made himself a nuisance and knocked it down -- just as he did for Alvaro Morata's goal in the UCL semifinal in Madrid -- and Chiellini of all people contrived to execute a fine scissor kick to surprise Etrit Berisha. If Juventus were unflappable, Lazio looked a little fazed by the equaliser. They sat deeper, wary of conceding on the counter. Four of the five goals they had given up against Juventus this season had been on fast-breaks. Now Lazio sought to use the tactic against them. Anderson drove at them at pace and released Cataldi but it came to nothing. Marco Parolo pounced on a mistake by Pogba but shot wide. When Filip Djordjevic ran onto a ball over the top in the second half, a moment's hesitancy and a timid air-shot permitted Storari to recover and see out the danger. However, the defining moment of Lazio's final came early in extra-time when Djordjevic, on for the ineffective Miroslav Klose, watched a shot finally beat Storari. Already embarking on a celebratory run, the Serb suddenly checked it after seeing his strike hit the post then fell into despair as it skimmed across the goal-line, struck the other post and bounced out. "All it took was a little bit of luck tonight, but we didn't get it," Pioli lamented later. Not for the first time this season, destiny was smiling on Juventus. Within a minute Pirlo produced a world-class pass to the hero of the night, Alessandro Matri. It bisected Lazio's centre-backs and even though his first touch was heavy, the confusion it and the presence of Carlos Tevez caused meant he seized on the loose ball and buried it past Berisha who, like Samir Handanovic in the Derby d'Italia at the weekend, really should have done better. Allegri had nailed another substitution and Matri repaid the trust of a coach who got the best out of him at Cagliari, took him to Milan and then brought him back to Juventus when it no longer looked like he'd ever be allowed near a big club again. He had got the comeback underway against Fiorentina in the second leg of the semifinal and now ensured Juventus did the double for only the third time in their history and for the first time in 20 years. Not only has Allegri accomplished something that Conte fell short of in 2013, he cleared the hurdle Cestmir Vycpalek fell at in 1973. Vycpalek, the uncle of Zdenek Zeman, won the Scudetto with Juve that season, but then lost the Coppa Italia final (5-2 on penalties to Milan) and the European Cup final (1-0 to Ajax). Unlike the Czech and later Lippi, whose teams arrived at the biggest dance of all hard pushed and frazzled domestically, Allegri will have had the league wrapped up more than a month beforehand by the time he reaches Berlin. The team is fit and healthy and finished the game the stronger against Real and Lazio. "Now let's see if we can turn this dream into reality," Allegri said. He was convinced that winning the Coppa would allow Juventus to better prepare for the Champions League final given the ulterior surge in confidence it would generate and the absence of any doubts and scrutiny defeat might bring. How ideal things are then. And while the Old Lady smiles, Lazio have to turn that frown upside down. Champions League qualification and €50 million are riding on the next five days. Napoli go to Turin on Saturday in the belief that they can get the win they need against a Juventus team that is likely to be weaker in its composition than the one they beat in the Italian Super Cup in December. Do it, and they will be level on points with Lazio but have the edge on head-to-head, adding to the pressure resting on the shoulders of Pioli and his players before Monday's Derby della Capitale against Roma who are less in form but should be fresher. Everything is so delicately poised, particularly with Napoli hosting Lazio on the final day, a game expected to be Rafa Benitez's farewell. A place on the podium and in the Champions League is an acceptable way for him to say goodbye. Victorious on each of the four occasions he has met Lazio in the league, in no small part because of the six goals Gonzalo Higuain has scored in those games, however, holders Napoli were eliminated from the Coppa this season after Lazio knocked them out at the San Paolo in April. For now, though, Pioli is 100 percent focused on Roma. 2-0 up against them at the interval in January, Lazio need to make it stick rather than let Totti and co back in like they did then. "I hope Monday is the turning point," he said. "We have worked all year to get to this point. We hoped it would be decisive for our future. I believe my team deserves to play in the Champions League next year for how we have played and the spirit we have shown. The lads deserve it. But we have to show it on the pitch. We'll try and do it in the derby." Monday promises to be colossal.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 1 after extra-time Stefan Radu (4') Giorgio Chiellini (11') Alessandro Matri (97') Coppa Italia TIM Final Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Historic Juve win Coppa of centimetres Alessandro Matri’s extra time goal sealed Juventus’ first League and Cup double since 1995. Luca Cetta examines how the Coppa was won. May 21, 2014 It’s something few would have predicted last July. Ten months after his less than warm welcome at Juventus, Massimiliano Allegri has etched his name into club history. He joins exalted company as one of just three men to win a domestic double at Juve. His name sits alongside Carlo Parola – 1959-60 – and Marcello Lippi – 1994-95. When Lippi led the Turin club to that success against Parma, it was the club’s ninth in the competition. Two decades on, the Old Lady was still searching for her tenth. That was until yesterday’s gripping 2-1 victory over Lazio in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico. While the Coppa is viewed as Serie A’s poor cousin, you get a sense it was a trophy Juve really wanted. That it had been 20 years since the last victory was made note of during the campaign and in the build-up to this match. Allegri said this Final was just as important as the Champions League decider. So when Giorgio Chiellini hoisted the trophy it almost felt like a weight off their shoulders. It was a match which could have gone either way. And as both sides grew wary of conceding in the second half, extra time seemed inevitable. Such was the nature of the contest, when it was finally decided it was only by a matter of centimetres. Rome was so nearly rocking in extra time. Filip Djordjevic had already started to wheel away in celebration. The striker was desperately unlucky to not break the deadlock as his left-foot cannon beat Marco Storari, but not the near post. The ball agonisingly hit the other upright and Juve breathed a sigh of relief as it then came out. There may not even have been a need for 30 more minutes had the assistant referee not ruled out Alessandro Matri’s goal with minutes remaining of normal time. The striker thought he had scored the winner after connecting with Andrea Pirlo’s pass, only for celebrations to be halted. Replays suggest the linesman got it wrong in a tight decision. Matri was not to be denied. Having returned to Juventus in January to bolster the attacking stocks he has proved his worth in the Coppa Italia. His goal in Florence helped the Bianconeri overturn a Semi-final deficit. And when Carlos Tevez’s 97th minute attempt was blocked the substitute pounced. Matri’s shot bounced off goalkeeper Etrit Berisha’s wrist into the roof of the net. All a matter of centimetres. Luck was a theme both sides subscribed to. As Allegri noted, “We did well, they did well, they were unlucky hitting the woodwork twice in the same move and we were fortunate on our goal.” For his opposite number Stefano Pioli, “To win you need a little bit of luck and we didn’t have that,” while captain Stefan Radu added, “With a bit of luck, Djordjevic’s shot would’ve put us in front in extra time.” Earlier, it was Lazio’s stand-in captain who led by example. Radu gave Lazio a fourth minute lead with a towering header which Storari got a hand to, but could not keep out. But when Chiellini produced an acrobatic equaliser seven minutes later, it felt like it could be Juve’s night. It was an unlikely leveller from the most unlikely source. Juventus had won both League matches this term with a 5-0 aggregate total, but Allegri warned pre-match this would be different. “This is going to be a more balanced tie and it will not necessarily be resolved in 90 minutes.” The Livorno native was right on both counts. Lazio shaded the first half and Marco Parolo’s long-range drive nearly restored the lead. After the interval Djordjevic was unable to hook his shot past Storari, while Tevez nearly won it with virtually the last kick of normal time. With this success, Juve’s dream of a first treble remains alive. Standing in their way is Barcelona, yet the Coach says he and his players will be doing everything in their power to make it come true. “It is not easy to play in three tournaments all the way through a season,” Allegri reminded. “Now we will try to nourish this dream and turn it into reality.” After writing one historic chapter, Juventus can set their sights on another.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 1 after extra-time Stefan Radu (4') Giorgio Chiellini (11') Alessandro Matri (97') Coppa Italia TIM Final Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Allegri Pushes Matri Button To Secure 10th Coppa Italia For Juventus As Juventus came from behind to secure a historic 10th Coppa Italia title, Alessandro Matri was the unlikely hero after his extra-time winner against a determined Lazio. May 21, 2014 With a total of 220 goals scored over the 78 previous matches played in the build-up to the 2014-15 Coppa Italia final, supporters throughout the peninsula have been entertained with an average of 2.8 goals per game. After enjoying Mameli’s Hymn performed by Chiara, the 2012 winner of the Italian version of the X Factor, and the spectacle of the pre-match choreographies from both sets of supporters, those in attendance at the Stadio Olimpico witnessed another engrossing encounter on the pitch between Juventus and Lazio. Radoslav Kirilov (Cremonese), Andrea Mazzarani (Virtus Entella), Gianluca Caprari (Pescara) and Cristian Galano (Bari) may have all found the net even quicker during the second round held back in August. But Lazio captain Stefan Radu scored the fastest goal in the final since Mauro Zarate in 2009 inside just four minutes before another unlikely scorer in Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini levelled with an acrobatic volley just six-and-a-half minutes later. In spite of the Old Lady having won five of the past six meetings with the Aquile by a margin of two or more goals, the two sides could not be separated until the 97th minute in extra time. Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri must have had a premonition as he predicted in his pre-match press conference that the outcome of the 68th edition of the competition would be decided by a substitute. “It will be an even affair and it could possibly go into extra-time,” Allegri said in his pre-match press conference. “That’s why it will be important to have players in good shape, including those who will be on the bench.” While Lazio substitute Filip Djordjevic could have not been more unfortunate when he unleashed a shot from distance that hit the inside of both posts, Alessandro Matri enjoyed a stroke of fortune as his shot squirmed under Etrit Berisha. After being reunited with Allegri for a third time following his arrival on the final day of the winter transfer window, the 30-year-old forward has been a back-up to Carlos Tevez, Alvaro Morata and Fernando Llorente. However, he has proven to be an unlikely hero in helping Juventus become the first side to win the Coppa Italia 10 times. Matri opened the scoring after he made a surprise first start when Juventus overcame a first leg loss to eliminate Fiorentina in the semi-finals. and he doubled his total in the final with just his fourth shot on goal. In doing so, he ensured the Bianconeri a first win in the Coppa Italia in seven previous attempts against the Biancocelesti, but more importantly it secured Juventus a first domestic double since 1995 and a potential treble. With seven goals and five assists in the first-half of the season at Genoa before returning to Turin on loan, the Lombard native is continuing to rebuild his reputation following his much maligned €11 million move to AC Milan and subsequent loan at Fiorentina last season. Matri may not be as influential as he was in his first spell with Juventus, but he is content with his role as a substitute in a squad that continues to improve under Allegri. “Obviously there is also great personal joy for scoring the decisive goal,” Matri told Rai Sport after the match. “The characteristics of this team is that everyone has to be ready, even if they play five or 10 minutes. “The coach knows how to press the right buttons and the motivation comes by itself.” Attention has now turned to the Champions League final against Barcelona on June 6, and Matri is dreaming of another crucial cup goal. “Could I score in the Champions League final? Maybe I could do something, but I don’t want to say too much and jinx it.”

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 1 after extra-time Stefan Radu (4') Giorgio Chiellini (11') Alessandro Matri (97') Coppa Italia TIM Final Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Juventus Win Record Tenth Coppa Italia May 21, 2014 Alessandro Matri was the unlikely hero when he arrived off the bench to score an extra-time winner which gave Juventus a 2-1 win over Lazio in the Coppa Italia final and kept them on course for the treble. Matri, who has changed clubs in each of the last four transfer windows and been a fringe player since returning to Juventus in January, slotted the ball into the corner of the net in the seventh minute of extra time. While the Bianconeri were targeting the Treble, having already secured the Scudetto and preparing for the Champions League Final against Barcelona, the Aquile were looking to recapture the trophy they last won in 2013. Juve hadn’t lifted the trophy since 1995 and had Claudio Marchisio and Alvaro Morata suspended. Lucas Biglia was injured for Stefano Pioli’s side at the Stadio Olimpico, but surprisingly both teams used three at the back. Without suspended striker Alvaro Morata, whose goals against Real Madrid lifted Juve into the Champions League final on June 6, coach Massimiliano Allegri fielded Fernando Llorente alongside Serie A’s top scorer Carlos Tevez in attack. Lazio got off to a great start and went in front when Radu headed Danilo Cataldi’s free-kick past Juventus goalkeeper Marco Storari. Juventus pulled level soon after. Andrea Pirlo’s free-kick was knocked down by Patrice Evra, leaving Chiellini to smash the ball from six yards and beat Berisha. In the 25th minute, Llorente headed Evra’s cross over the bar. Two minutes later and a fast counter-attack by Lazio saw Felipe Anderson sent Cataldi through on goal but his effort lacked pace and did not trouble Storari. Before the interval, Marco Parolo’s stinging drive from 25 yards went wide of the far post. Defences were on top for the first 10 minutes of the second half but then the chances slowly came as both teams looked tired. Paul Pogba headed a Stephan Lichtsteiner cross over the bar and Parolo tried his luck from distance. Leonardo Bonucci received a yellow card for tripping Antonio Candreva minutes after Evra was also cautioned. Santiago Gentiletti curled a free-kick over the bar and Parolo had another chance that went off target. As the second half progressed, Juve became more defensive and Lazio looked more willing to win the game in open play. Candreva and Anderson made some dribbles but they failed to create chances on goal with them. Roberto Pererya came on for Pogba and his cross-shot flashed across goal. Filip Djordjevic came off the bench and almost restored Lazio’s lead, running on to a long ball, but Marco Storari was alert to smother at his feet. Alessandro Matri had the ball in the net when running on to a Pirlo pass over the top, but was flagged offside in a tight decision. In stoppage time, Tevez’s swerving shot from distance just went over the bar. Lazio thought they had scored in extra time when Djordjevic unleashed a rocket from distance, but it bounced off the inside of the near post and then hit the other upright to go back out. It was an extraordinary strike and so unlucky. Matri nodded a Pereyra pull-back over from six yards, but then the substitute turned the Final around completely. Pouncing on the rebound from a Tevez blocked shot, he hit it too powerfully from 10 yards for Berisha to keep out, the ball bouncing off his wrist and into the roof of the net. It was a splendid Pirlo pass to begin the move, but Matri’s second Coppa Italia goal for Juve after scoring in the semi-final against Fiorentina. Dusan Basta drilled wide from a Lazio corner and Pirlo tried to curl a free kick directly from a tight angle, punched away by Berisha. Keita Balde Diao’s strike was deflected and Tevez fired wide. Lazio could not find a way through as Juve held on for victory at the Stadio Olimpico. Juventus are now on course for a first-ever club treble after claiming their first Coppa Italia crown in 20 years. It was a record 10th Coppa title for Juve, although their first since 1995. Having already won Serie A for a fourth successive season, Juventus will attempt to cap their season by winning the Champions League in the final against Barcelona on 6 June. Luis Enrique’s side will also be chasing a treble of their own in Berlin after they clinched the La Liga title with victory at Atlético Madrid on Sunday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-uI4ROGG9I

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 1 after extra-time Stefan Radu (4') Giorgio Chiellini (11') Alessandro Matri (97') Coppa Italia TIM Final Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Juventus Win First Coppa Italia In 20 Years Courtesy Late Matri Strike Juventus won the Coppa Italia for the first time in 20 years thanks to Alessandro Matri’s extra-time strike which secured a 2-1 victory over Lazio. May 21, 2014 Alessandro Matri came off the bench to hit an extra-time winner as Juventus beat Lazio 2-1 to win the Italian Cup final in Rome on Wednesday. Juventus’s first Cup triumph since 1995 keeps the Turin giants on track for a treble of trophies in Massimiliano Allegri’s first season at the club. Juventus secured their fourth consecutive scudetto several weeks ago and face Barcelona in the final of the Champions League in Berlin on June 6. Juventus were stunned after just four minutes when Stefan Radu rose to beat Marco Storari with a powerful header from a free-kick after Paul Pogba had given away a needless foul on the right flank. Juve got back on level terms thanks to Giorgio Chiellini’s half-volley in the 10th minute. The match finished all square after 90 minutes but Matri, back on loan at Juve after being sold to Milan in 2013, made the difference when he latched on to Carlos Tevez’s lay-off inside the area to bundle past Etrit Berisha in the Lazio net. Juve held on to their lead amid a tense second period of extra-time to send the black and white half of the Stadio Olimpico into raptures as the champions secured their first league and cup double since 1995. “It’s our first cup trophy in 20 years, so it’s obviously special for us,” said Matri. Juve now just have to focus on the Champions League final against Barcelona in Berlin on June 6 to complete their season and emulate the treble feats of Inter Milan, in 2010. “It was a great final,” said Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri. “Now we just have to keep our focus until June 6. “We’ll go to Berlin having won the league and the cup, but Barcelona are in great form, just as we are.” Allegri was missing midfielder Claudio Marchisio and striker Alvaro Morata through suspension, and was also without number one goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, whose absence was felt almost immediately when Storari struggled to reach Radu’s powerful header from a free-kick on the right.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 1 after extra-time Stefan Radu (4') Giorgio Chiellini (11') Alessandro Matri (97') Coppa Italia TIM Final Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Juventus 2-1 Lazio: Super-sub Alessandro Matri gives Bianconeri Coppa Italia glory After 20 years of waiting and two halves of extra time, Juventus managed to win the Coppa Italia against a spirited Lazio, adding the Silver Star to their kit for the 10th such success. May 21, 2014 I could tell you how nobody believed in Massimiliano Allegri when he was appointed as Antonio Conte’s replacement in the summer and how he, with small but steady steps, successfully steered Juventus on three different fronts towards glory. I could tell you how he managed to build on the already-great performances of the previous three seasons and transform Juventus into a real Champions League contender. How he kept the players hungry for more success, how he ensured everyone got enough playing time to feel they are part of the Bianconera family, resting at the same time players who needed fresh legs and a sharp mind for other more crucial games. I could tell you how, after 20 years of waiting, this fantastic team finally secured the Silver Star by becoming the first team in Italy’s history to win 10 Coppas. I could tell you how Alessandro Matri had to be the decisive man in the final, after he re-joined the group in January, proving himself once more as a valuable squad player and a true character loved in the dressing room. I could tell you how Giorgio Chiellini breaks his nose every 10 games and continues to ravage opposite attacking players, giving his all for the team with that reckless and loony style of his, scoring the odd goal now and then -- the goal that will undoubtedly bring the fierce beast out of him as he bursts into savage celebrations. I could tell how much he deserved to lift that Coppa trophy after all the blood he spilled for Juventus on the pitch. I could tell you how Andrea Pirlo and Allegri embraced each other in joy after the full time whistle and how such a scene would have been simply impossible in 2011 when Allegri, then manager at Milan, considered Massimo Ambrosini and Mark Van Bommel more suited for the role in front of the defence, forcing the departure of the bearded magician and, subsequently and involuntarily, helping Juventus in building the foundations for a team that would go on and win four consecutive Scudetti. I could yell, "La Decima! La Decima! La Decima!" at you all night -- metaphorically speaking, this time, otherwise it might just look silly -- but I have to remind you "Andiamo a Berlino! Andiamo a Berlino! Andiamo a Berlino!". I could tell you all that and many more but it would be pointless. Superfluous. In such times, words are useless. Words are not enough to describe how lucky we are for living years of remarkable success and for witnessing history in the making. Andrea Agnelli, Beppe Marotta, Fabio Paratici, Pavel Nedved, everybody involved in the club’s board and every single player who wore the Juventus shirt in the last five years --and whom I will not enumerate here for it will make this post too long -- have made the dreams of every single tifoso Bianconero come true. For that, and for everything that is yet to come, grazie mille! MATCH SUMMARY Stringiamci a coorte Siam pronti alla morte Siam pronti alla morte L'Italia chiamò! Sì! The intonation of the national anthem before the game sent shivers down my spine -- an electrifying effect. And if that was electrifying, the goal scored by Lazio captain Stefan Radu in the fourth minute was nothing short of a lighting struck. Paul Pogba conceded a free-kick on Juventus’ left flank some 35 yards out. Danilo Cataldi delivered the ball into the box and Radu rose from between Pirlo and Pogba to direct a splendid header which Marco Storari could only palm into the roof of the net. However, Lazio’s advantage lasted for a short period as Chiellini equalised in the 11th minute. Pirlo took a free kick from a similar position to Cataldi’s and found Evra at the far post. The Frenchman redirected the ball in front of the goal for Chiellini who acrobatically sent it past a helpless Etrit Berisha, with a would-be overhead kick. The frantic start did not affect either set of players, as the teams kept up the high tempo. Pressing, fouls and misplaced passes governed the game and Lazio seemed to be the team with the initiative. Patrice Evra found Fernando Llorente in the box with a good cross in the 25th minute but the Spaniard couldn’t direct his header on target. A minute later, Felipe Anderson was presented with a shooting opportunity just outside Juventus’ box but the Brazilian sent the ball miles over the bar. Just moments afterwards, Storari was called into action to stop Cataldi’s weak shot after a good quick counter attack from the Biancocelesti. Just over the half hour mark, Pogba tried to stop a high ball on his chest but involuntarily assisted Marco Parolo at the edge of the area and the Italian midfielder sent a powerful shot that missed the target by a few inches. Nonetheless, the recklessness of Pogba managed to draw an angry reaction from Allegri. In the 40th minute, Pogba played a ball through for Evra who cut it back first time for Carlos Tévez but the Argentine uncharacteristically skied his shot way over the target from a good position. Five minutes later, Daniele Orsato sent the two teams to the locker rooms for the half-time break, ending a tough first part for Juventus. The game was a bit cooled down at the start of the second half and it took 10 minutes until Juventus created the first half-decent chance, as Pogba headed a ball over the bar after a cross from Stephan Lichtsteiner. Leonardo Bonucci stopped a dangerous attacking action of Lazio by bringing down Antonio Candreva in the 64th minute and was shown a yellow card. However, the free-kick came to nothing as Santiago Gentiletti completely missed the target. Neither of the teams were willing to risk too much and chances were few and far between, with Juventus a bit more active in the centre of the park. Having just replaced Miroslav Klose, Filip Djordjevic wasted a huge chance for Lazio in the 84th minute when he followed a long ball inside Juventus’ area but his shot was very poor and Storari did well to block the Serbian striker. With three minutes left to play, Roberto Pereyra dribbled his way inside Lazio’s box but his low cross found nobody in front of the goal. Pirlo got hold of the loose ball and delivered a fantastic ball over the top for Alessandro Matri who scored with his first touch, only to see the referee’s assistant raising the flag for offside – a very close call. Tévez cut inside from the left flank in the second minute of injury time and sent a ferocious shot but the Argentine couldn’t keep his effort on target. Orsato blew the full-time whistle shortly afterwards and the two teams headed towards extra time. In the 94th minute, Djordjevic’s thunderous effort from distance beat Storari but hit the right and then the left post before the ball was cleared away. Just three minutes later, Matri sent the Bianconeri in wild celebrations. Tévez’s initial shot from inside the box was blocked by the defence but the ball bounced back to Matri who beat his man with the first touch and then put his shot past Berisha to give Juventus the lead. Lazio’s pressure started to mount after the goal and the Bianconeri were forced to defend deep in their half. In the 110th minute, Tévez found lots of space on the counter but his good run on the left flank came to a halt when Candreva fouled the Argentine just outside the box. Pirlo stepped up to take the free-kick but his effort was punched away by Berisha. The Biancocelesti did little to create a threat for Storari’s goal in the dying minutes and Juventus went on to win the game, finally being rewarded with their 10th Coppa Italia. LE PAGELLE Storari: 6 Got a touch at the goal, but was unable to keep the ball out. Very confident whenever he was called into action Barzagli: 6.5 Steady as always at the back, containing Anderson on the right and distributing the ball well from the back Bonucci: 6 Very poor start in the game but managed to get a grip on himself and had a solid second (third and fourth) part Chiellini: 7.5 Scored a brilliant goal and was very solid at the back, pulling off some great tackles Lichtsteiner: 5.5 Defended well but his runs forward were cut short because of the danger represented by Anderson Vidal: 6 Very energetic, but committed fouls often. His presence in midfield focused on the defensive play, bringing very few to the attack Pirlo: 6.5 Made up for the poor defending at the goal conceded with a good delivery for Chiellini’s strike. Played some great long balls over Lazio’s backline and distributed the ball with ease in midfield Pogba: 5 Shares the blame with Pirlo for the goal. Inconsistent in midfield, alternating good defending with poor passing game Evra: 6.5 Great positioning to assist the goal. Equally good presence on the left flank against Candreva throughout the game and also surged forward effectively Tévez: 7 Missed a huge chance in the first half but his commitment was immense. Often retreated to his own half to defend or help the build-up play Llorente: 5.5 Barely visible in the first half as the Spaniard found little space between Lazio’s centre backs. Improved in the second part but still managed little Subs Pereyra: 6.5 Very lively in the attack after he replaced Pogba in the 78th minute. Matri: 7.5 SCORED THE BLOODY WINNING GOAL Padoin: N/A Replaced Lichtsteiner in the 115th minute Coach Allegri: 6.5 Was probably surprised to see Lazio pressing so high and playing with such intensity in the first half but managed to regain control of the game after the break. Pereyra and Matri have changed the course of the game after they were brought on, adding to numerous previous occasions when Mister made inspired in-game decisions.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 1 after extra-time Stefan Radu (4') Giorgio Chiellini (11') Alessandro Matri (97') Coppa Italia TIM Final Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Juventus' win vs. Lazio in Coppa Italia keeps treble hopes alive May 21, 2014 First they won the Scudetto, then they qualified for the final of the Champions League and now, after waiting 20 years for the honour, Juventus have won the Coppa Italia. The silver star has finally arrived and the Old Lady has become the first Italian team to have won the competition a total of ten times. Dreams are slowly becoming a reality. The Bianconeri may have been the best team in Italy for quite some time but they haven't managed the domestic double since 1995, when the great Marcello Lippi was in charge. Blessed with balance, fighting power and a touch of luck, Juventus took their chances and held off a brilliantly determined Lazio side to lift yet another trophy. Two down, one to go. Rather than feel the absence of Claudio Marchisio, Massimiliano Allegri opted to play a 3-5-2 formation in order to enjoy the skills of Andrea Barzagli -- a shape that usually allows for defensive excellence. However, the Biancocelesti immediately focused on exposing the weaknesses within the formation and took Juventus on in midfield, pressing and harrying in order to win back possession as quickly as possible. The Bianconeri were barely allowed time to breathe let alone execute a strategy as they attempted to overcome the pressure and slow down the pace. Yet before they could even settle, the Aquile took the lead with a set-piece. What an exceptional start for Lazio and their wonderfully astute coach, Stefano Pioli. Juventus attempted to recover, but it was clear they were feeling overwhelmed. However, Juventus fought on and with another set-piece came a goal. This time it was Giorgio Chiellini, the Italian Champions had equalised. Despite things being level, Lazio were the better side in the first half. Pioli got his tactics right. There was great synchronicity between their players while the freedom afforded to their two wizards, Antonio Candreva and Felipe Anderson, caused Juventus all sorts of trouble, especially on the wings. It was a game in which the Old Lady truly realised the worth of both Marchisio and Alvaro Morata. The battle between the two sides was in midfield and had the midfielder been available, Allegri would have accommodated him and permitted his men to have a greater hold in the area. Instead, Juve were overwhelmed and Arturo Vidal was forced to play the role of two men as he ran across the pitch to close down his opponents and press as intensely as the opponent. As for Morata, he boasts a different range of skills that help to make the team complete. Without his acceleration, pace and technical ability, Juventus looked somewhat ordinary with their attacking movements and easily shut down. Fernando Llorente did a great job in coming back to help in midfield, making interesting runs and holding the ball up, but he is one dimensional and unable to expose the spaces. He may be a fighter but he's simply not lithe enough to be as effective as his fellow countryman. Interestingly, one midfielder afforded the chance to start, disappointed. Paul Pogba played an average game at best and is struggling to recover his top form after coming back from injury. Out of rhythm and easier to dispossess, he struggled to match his opponents' intensity and made the type of mistakes he is usually keen to avoid. Despite Juve being well rested and relaxed, their opponents looked the fitter outfit, dominating the duels all over the pitch. The only problem is that despite their fluid movements and great organisation, Lazio lack world class finishing. Every attacking move created ended in disappointment as the players either forced the situation or shot off target. To win matches such as these, they must fill the void up top. The second half was played at a slower pace and Andrea Pirlo was allowed to demonstrate the impact of his precise angles of play. Juventus had indeed settled in and were now capable of playing to their own rhythm and creating chances, yet neither side could find the goal and the game went into extra time. Football truly is a game of luck. Filip Djordjevic came on for the Biancocelesti and, at the beginning of extra time, struck the ball in awesome fashion and watched as it bounced off the post twice. Somehow, somewhere, the footballing gods made their voices heard and denied Lazio a goal and perhaps even a win. Instead, one beautiful Pirlo ball found its way to the top for Alessandro Matri to score the winner. Pioli is right, football is made up of incidents and Lazio's poor luck only served to incentivise the Bianconeri on the pitch. Lady luck was on their side and they were not about to disappoint her. This was not their best game nor was it a demonstration of their exceptional strength. They won the trophy by fighting a difficult fight and overcoming a tactically beautiful side. This is Juve's year, their chance for glory and it seems everyone believes in their invincibility. As long as the players believe and play accordingly, might they actually have a chance for the treble?

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 1 after extra-time Stefan Radu (4') Giorgio Chiellini (11') Alessandro Matri (97') Coppa Italia TIM Final Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Player Ratings: Juventus 2-1 Lazio (aet) May 21, 2014 Juventus 30 M. Storari - Got a hand to Radu's opener but couldn't keep it out. Was quick off his line to deny Djordjevic in the second half. 15 A. Barzagli - Had a fairly solid game in defence, barely putting a foot wrong all evening. 19 L. Bonucci - Played a few sloppy passes when put under pressure but kept Klose quiet for much of the match. 3 G. Chiellini - Netted an important equaliser in the 11th minute and stepped up from the back effectively. 26 S. Lichtsteiner - Did not have much influence down the right flank until the latter stages, when he proved very positive. 6 P. Pogba - Was a bit overconfident in dangerous areas and ceded possession regularly before replaced. 21 A. Pirlo - Found himself quickly pressed throughout and gave away possession cheaply a number of times. He did play a role in both goals, though. 23 A. Vidal - The Chilean worked hard in midfield, drawing fouls and closing the opposition quickly when not on the ball. 33 P. Evra - The Frenchman assisted the equaliser but offered very little going forward as Basta penned him back. 14 Llorente - The Spaniard tried to make a few runs in behind the defence but they didn't come off, and he spurned the chances that came his way. 10 C. Tévez - Dropped very deep to try and get involved in the game and helped created some of his team's better moments. Substitutes 37 R. Pereyra - Came on for Pogba in the 78th minute and worked exceptionally hard to help his team. 32 Alessandro Matri - Replaced Llorente in the 84th minute and netted the winning goal in the first half of extra time. 20 S. Padoin - Brought on for Lichtsteiner in the 115th minute. Lazio 1 E. Berisha - Could do little to keep out Chiellini's effort but should perhaps have saved Matri's winner. 3 S. de Vrij - Read the game well and limited the effectiveness of Juventus' forwards for the evening. 18 S. Gentiletti - Played in the centre of the back three and was composed in possession but gave away too many cheap free-kicks. 26 Ş. Radu - Opened the scoring with a first-half header and had a strong game at the back for his side. 8 D. Basta - The right wing-back played with plenty of energy and gave Evra a torrid evening. 16 M. Parolo - Did plenty of hard work in midfield and was always quick to the ball, also firing a shot narrowly wide in the first half. 32 D. Cataldi - Supplied the assist for the opener with a brilliant free-kick and was very combative in open play. 19 S. Lulić - Provided all the width on the left but lacked quality in his final ball into the box. 87 A. Candreva - Linked the play well and caused problems when drifting inside from the wing. 11 M. Klose - The World Cup winner received very little service on the night and never got the chance to try and worry Storari himself. 7 Felipe Anderson - Regularly drifted into space in the middle but was greedy and ran into dead ends. Substitutes 33 Mauricio - Came on for Radu in the 71st minute but was too quick to dive into tackles. 9 F. Đorđević - Replaced Klose in the 82nd minute and after wasting a great chance to win it in normal time, rattled both posts in extra time. 14 B. Keita - Brought on for De Vrij for the second half of extra time.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 1 after extra-time Stefan Radu (4') Giorgio Chiellini (11') Alessandro Matri (97') Coppa Italia TIM Final Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Chiellini salutes Juventus fight The Bianconeri were taken to extra time before overcoming Lazio in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday night. May 21, 2014 Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini highlighted the importance of his team's never-say-die attitude after coming from behind to beat Lazio 2-1 after extra time to win the Coppa Italia for the first time in 20 years. The Serie A champions went into Wednesday's contest looking to end an unenviable run of losing their only three Coppa finals since their 1995 success and Alessandro Matri's extra-time winner ultimately clinched a record 10th title. Stefan Radu initially gave Lazio an early lead, but Chiellini pulled Juve level again shortly after and the Bianconeri were clinical when it mattered as Matri netted the winner seven minutes into the additional period, leaving just Barcelona standing in the way of a historic treble. "We did well to never give in, we remained united and fought for every ball," the defender told Rai Sport. "Then we have players who can change a game. "This team motivates itself. We help each other out to be at our best, find extra motivation and improve from game to game. "We had not won the Coppa for 20 years, so we really wanted this trophy and now we will enjoy it to the fullest. "We put in a great performance and knew it would be difficult, as Lazio are in good shape and they caused us problems. "They made us run hard and they played well. Berlin [for the Champions League final] is some way off – now we deserve to enjoy this with our fans all over the country." Juve can complete their treble in a showdown with Barcelona in Berlin on June 6.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 1 after extra-time Stefan Radu (4') Giorgio Chiellini (11') Alessandro Matri (97') Coppa Italia TIM Final Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Matri: I’m Always Ready To Help Juventus In Any Way I Can May 20, 2014 Juventus striker Alessandro Matri insists he is always ready to come to the help of his side after entering as a substitute in the Coppa Italia final against Lazio, before scoring the winner in extra time. The 30-year-old also looked ahead to the Champions League final against Barcelona and feels the cup win was evidence of the importance of Juve’s squad players. “All of us are always ready to help the team, even if we only play for 5 or 10 minutes,” said Matri to Rai Sport after the cup final win. “This win is a prize for the entire squad, for the great work we’ve done this season.” Matri also said that the moment when Filip Djordjevic’s shot hit both posts without going in minutes before Juve’s winning goal was a sign that the trophy was heading to the Bianconeri. “When the ball hit both posts, it was a sign,” said Matri. “We did well to believe in ourselves and we managed to achieve a great victory. “It’s a great satisfaction for us to have won Juve’s 10th Coppa Italia and a personal one for me to have scored the winning goal.” Matri also looked ahead to the Champions League final against Barcelona. “We know that Barcelona are extremely strong but we’re strong too,” Matri continued. “We are motivated and preparing at our highest levels in training. “Our win to will is great and [Massimiliano] Allegri is pushing the right buttons in training. “Could I score in the Champions League final? Maybe I could do something, but I don’t want to say too much and jinx it.”

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 1 after extra-time Stefan Radu (4') Giorgio Chiellini (11') Alessandro Matri (97') Coppa Italia TIM Final Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Allegri: Juventus Did Everything They Could Against A Great Lazio May 20, 2014 Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has praised his players after they managed to defeat Lazio in the Coppa Italia Final. The Bianconeri won 2-1 against the Biancocelesti in extra time and the 47-year-old was impressed with his team’s performance as the game progressed. “Lazio have played a great game, showing that they are in excellent form,” Allegri told Rai Sport. “We were good [but] they were unlucky when they hit both posts. “They were very aggressive in the first half then they dropped off. We had to do a bit better [and] be more polished. The game was in the balance and the guys did well. “We did better in the second half but the game was balanced, we did everything possible against an excellent Lazio.” Juventus have now sealed the Serie A title as well as adding the Coppa Italia trophy to their cabinet this season and the next target for the Bianconeri is Champions League Final against Barcelona on June 6. “I’m happy about what the guys have been done so far [this season]and we’ll see if we can now to win the third trophy [the Champions League],” Allegri concluded. “Now we have a little time to prepare the final with Barcelona [on June 6].”

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 1 after extra-time Stefan Radu (4') Giorgio Chiellini (11') Alessandro Matri (97') Coppa Italia TIM Final Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Coppa Italia Player Ratings: Juventus 2-1 Lazio May 20, 2014 Juventus won a hard-fought Coppa Italia final as they defeated Lazio 2-1 [AET] at the Stadio Olimpico. The victors actually conceded first when Stefan Radu gave his side an early lead in the fourth minute although Giorgio Chiellini swiftly equalised only six minutes later. Neither side were able to break the deadlock during normal time and it was substitute Alessandro Matri who eventually grabbed the winner in the 97th minute. Juventus Marco Storari – 6 – Adequate - The stand-in goalkeeper was let down by static marking for Radu’s opener as he could do nothing to keep out what was a bullet header. As the game progressed he was rarely troubled thanks to the defensive wall in front of him but he performed well when called into action. Andrea Barzagli – 6.5 – Rock - A rock-solid presence at the back for the Bianconeri with no Lazio player ever capable of exploiting the space in behind his vast frame. Always there to correct any mistakes from his team-mates and his simplicity in possession encouraged the defence to remain calm throughout. Leonardo Bonucci – 6.5 – Solid - A key member of the defensive trio that is currently keeping out some of the best strikers across the planet. Once again Bonucci was at the forefront as he continuously knocked away every long-ball that came his way. Giorgio Chiellini – 7 – Brilliant - The powerful, no-nonsense central defender was out of defensive sorts during the opening stages when he produced a magnificent flick to equalise for the Bianconeri in the tenth minute before returning to his usual self and bossing the opposition attack. Crown in the defensive jewel. Stephan Lichtsteiner – 6.5 – Efficient - The efficient defender dealt very well with the threat of Felipe Anderson during the first half as he focused primarily on his defensive duties, rather than rampaging forwards. Eventually taken off in the 115th minute. Arturo Vidal – 6.5 – Combative - The Chilean brought the necessary pace and energy to the Juve midfield as he strode from box-to-box forever hassling the opposition. A combative performance and kept going until the final whistle. Andrea Pirlo – 6.5 – Metronome - Never one to shirk a cup-final, Pirlo was his composed self once again as he patrolled the center ground of the Stadio Olimpico. His passing was accurate as always and he kept his side ticking over with intricate and intelligent passes. Paul Pogba – 5.5 – Underwhelming - The coveted 22-year-old began the match in surprisingly slow fashion but soon obtained a firm grip on the midfield as he became more involved. However, following the re-start his lack of match fitness became clear and he cut a frustrated figure as he was taken off in the 78th minute. Patrice Evra – 6.5 – Reliable - The experienced Frenchman was an extremely reliable presence down the left-hand flank and barely put a foot-wrong for the entire 120 minutes. Fernando Llorente – 5 – Disappointing - A difficult evening for the Spanish front-man as he found it hard to escape his marker and make an impact. He worked hard but was justifiably taken off in the second half after a lacklustre display. Carlos Tevez – 7 – Tireless - The Argentine’s work rate was admirable once again for the Old Lady as he probed and pestered the opposition throughout. He came close on several occasions thanks to his ambitious style and he led the Juventus line remarkably well. Substitutes Roberto Pereyra – 6 – Vibrant - A useful addition to the tired legs of the Juventus side and worked well once he arrived on the field. Alessandro Matri – 7 – Winner - The 30-year-old arrived in place of the weary Llorente towards the end of the second half and proved to be a superb replacement. Not only did he hold the ball up well and provide his side with a decent outlet but he scored the winning goal that set his side on the way to the treble. Simone Padoin – N/A Lazio Etrit Berisha – 5 – Poor - The Albanian did not have his most impressive evening in a Lazio shirt and seemed to lack the necessary confidence. He should really have done better for Matri’s winner when he was beaten all too easily by a low strike that lacked any real pace. Stefan de Vrij – 5.5 – Unfortunate - The Dutchman dealt well with the colossal frontman Fernando Llorente as he used his imposing and intelligent positioning to keep him well out of the game throughout. His tired legs eventually cost them as they conceded in extra time. Santiago Gentiletti – 5 – Lacking - Lacked influence and bravery in the first half as Tevez gave him the run around as well as losing his marker for the Juventus equaliser. He grew as the game went on but still struggled whenever he was faced square on with a Juventus attacker. Stefan Radu – 6.5 – Intense - The Lazio captain sprang his side into an early lead with a superb header in the fourth minute and continued to lead from the front during their high intensity first half. Eventually forced off in the 71st minute due to injury. Dusan Basta – 6 – Non-stop - A lively performance from Basta who seemed full of running well into the depths of extra-time. Never stopped trying defensively and was also a presence when going forwards. Marco Parolo – 5.5 – Laboured - The Argentine threatened from long-range on several occasions during the first half, including a superb half-volley that went only inches wide. His high intensity pressing was extremely useful but the 30-year-old simply could not keep it up as the game progressed. Danilo Cataldi – 5.5 – Mature - The 20-year-old often struggled with the Juventus midfield trio in the middle of the park, although his work-rate cannot be faulted and he displayed great maturity despite his youth. Senad Lulic – 5 – Basic - The Bosnian struggled with the pace of the match as his technical shortcomings were evident. Rarely helped the Biancocelesti when going forwards and his crossing was especially poor. Andrea Candreva – 6 – Fighter - Despite his free-kick attempts lacking any danger in the slightest, Candreva became a real threat during the second half. Shown great pace and skill in the 64th minute when he drove at the Juve defence for the first time, forcing a booking and a set-piece. A hard-fought display. Miroslav Klose – 5 – Weary - Lacked the intelligent movement that has come to encapsulate his game therefore couldn’t escape from the touch-tight Juventus defence. Looked weary and slow in comparison to Tevez and was justifiably taken off in 82nd minute. Felipe Anderson – 6 – Resolute - A relatively quiet first half for the Brazilian but he still managed to display his essence of skill and creativity when he picked up the ball in his own half and glided effortlessly deep into the Juve half with the ball seemingly stuck to his foot. Kept going until the very end and put in a resolute performance. Substitutes Filip Djordjevic – 6 – Woodwork - Was provided with a fantastic chance to take the lead within seconds of his arrival but he missed a wonderful one-on-one chance, although he very nearly made amends in the opening stages of extra time when he fired a curling shot that somehow managed to hit both posts without crossing the line. Mauricio – 5 – Poor - Woeful defending for the winning goal as he all too easily allowed for Matri the time and space to shoot. Keita Balde- N/A

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 1 after extra-time Stefan Radu (4') Giorgio Chiellini (11') Alessandro Matri (97') Coppa Italia TIM Final Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Juventus secure first Coppa Italia in 20 years as treble anticipation grows May 20, 2014 Three quick thoughts from Juventus' 2-1 extra-time win over Lazio in the Coppa Italia final at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night. 1. Allegri has tough decisions ahead of Champions League final With just two and a half weeks to go to the definitive moment of Juventus' season, Wednesday night's Coppa Italia final against Lazio was an opportunity for manager Massimiliano Allegri to take a closer look at the players he intends to send into action in Berlin. Allegri does not have all that many doubts for the Champions League final against Barcelona and, barring any late injuries, he only really has two or a maximum of three questions to answer. If the Coppa Italia final was being treated by Allegri as a dress rehearsal, it may just have confused matters a little for him. A 3-5-2 formation, with Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci on defence, is the approach that is speculated to be Allegri's answer in keeping forwards Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar out of mischief, if they are to return triumphant from the German capital. The fact Allegri therefore picked a three-man defence in the Italian capital on Wednesday night may be suggestive. Barzagli has been back from a long-term injury absence for just a month, and the more opportunities Allegri can give him to consolidate his understanding with Chiellini and Bonucci the better, to judge if that can be a valid option in Berlin. It is clear that Gianluigi Buffon will return in goal for Juve's Coppa Italia custodian Marco Storari, and both Alvaro Morata and Claudio Marchisio will be available having missed this final due to suspension. Fitting all of Juventus' stars may not be so easy, however. Paul Pogba was able to get some more match minutes in his legs, but he was unable to make an impression in the Coppa Italia final. Andrea Pirlo, meanwhile, did manage to put in one of his most impressive shifts in recent weeks, not that leaving him out in Berlin was ever going to be an option anyway. Marchisio may therefore earn the nod over Pogba, since he also provides a little more security defensively than an at times erratic Pogba. Which leads into the final choice, one which was further complicated on Wednesday night by a certain Alessandro Matri. His cup-winning goal was not the only argument he provided for a little more consideration in June. Although he is unlikely to snatch a starting XI berth from either Morata (the favourite), Carlos Tevez or Fernando Llorente, he could have edged up the pecking order at forward with his appearance in Rome. The trump card the former Genoa forward may hold is that he has appeared so fleetingly this season that he arguably has the freshest legs of Allegri's four forwards. When cramp and tiredness could be an issue, Matri might be there to crown Juve's season. He did that effectively on Wednesday night, winning Juve the Coppa Italia and keeping the Bianconeri on course for a treble. One thing perhaps Allegri might have preferred from his side's dress rehearsal was not to have an extra half an hour to play. But then with the potential for that also in Berlin, he could deem himself generally satisfied with his team ready to go to Berlin as Italian champions, Coppa Italia winners and ready to make even more history, in another Olympic Stadium. 2. Chiellini finally enjoys Coppa Italia win It was fitting that the man who was there when Juve were held to a 1-1 draw by Rimini to mark the start of the 2006-07 Serie B season was leading the Bianconeri out onto the field at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night. And it was equally fitting that it was he, Giorgio Chiellini, who netted the goal that got Juve back on terms in the Coppa Italia final. "I've been at Juve for 10 years and played in just one Cup final, and I still haven't digested the fact we lost that," Chiellini said on the eve of Wednesday's showpiece. It was not the only moment of indigestion Chiellini has had since becoming a Juve player a decade ago, even if there have been many more satiating moments in recent years. "When you're not winning, you can't quite imagine what these feelings of satisfaction must be like, but when you do feel it, then it sticks with you and you want it at all costs," Chiellini said. It is a taste he and his Juve teammates have acquired and grown to love, and Wednesday night's Coppa Italia victory, which completed a domestic league and cup double, was further proof of their quenchless desire for trophies. So does Juve's dominance make Italian football boring? "As far as I'm concerned, it's impossible for something so beautiful to become boring," Chiellini added. "We've been winning in Italy for four years, but personally I had been here for six without winning anything. "The important thing is we never lose our desire to win and celebrate, and that has allowed us to reach all of these objectives in these years. I hope this continues for a long time to come, but it's going to get increasingly difficult." While he was able to hang the eighth significant medal around his neck on Wednesday night, the true test of his and Juve's yearning for glory comes on June 6. When they meet Barcelona in the Champions League final in Berlin, it will be the culmination of a nine-year rise from Serie B to the zenith of the European game. "It's certainly something to be proud about, reaching the final of the Champions League after all that I've been through with Juventus," Chiellini said. "I was just talking about it with Gigi [buffon] and Claudio [Marchisio], how much we've been through together and how it's now only right that we get to enjoy a game like this. "I can still remember playing at Serie B clubs Rimini, Frosinone, Crotone, and now to be able to win the Champions League is really stimulating. We've done a good job in lifting ourselves these years and never sitting back and settling for what we've already won. That has been the greatest strength of this side over the years." They underlined it once again on Wednesday by clinching their 10th Coppa Italia title and second trophy of the season. All that remains is for them to complete the treble, and then they can start looking forward to facing newly-promoted Frosinone again next season. 3. Lazio's real focus is on Champions League qualification With all due respect to the Coppa Italia, Lazio's final was not on Wednesday night in Rome, but next Monday. Although a trophy was at stake at the Stadio Olimpico, and it would have been manager Stefano Pioli's first, given the option between beating Juve or conquering city rivals Roma in one of the most important Eternal City derbies on record this coming Monday, the choice would have been rather simple. For all the riches and prestige in winning the Coppa Italia for what would have been a seventh time, that could never have competed with what a season of Champions League football could bring. Lazio were already assured of a place in the Europa League next season so not even that was a significant incentive. A place in that competition is not what Pioli's men particularly want. The Champions League is their target. The 2015-16 edition marks the beginning of a new three-year cycle in which UEFA's chief club competition becomes more lucrative than ever. A place in the group stage is a guarantee of more revenue than winning the Coppa Italia for each of the next 20 years could provide.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 1 after extra-time Stefan Radu (4') Giorgio Chiellini (11') Alessandro Matri (97') Coppa Italia TIM Final Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Juventus 2 - Lazio 1: Initial reaction and random observations May 20, 2014 Alessandro Matri was around the last time Juventus played in a Coppa Italia final. Of Juve's five strikers on the roster in the 2011-12 season, he was the only one not to have appeared in the final three years ago, one that his team lost to Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Same stadium. Different opponent. Different outcome. Much different outcome. Matri's extra-time goal gave Juventus and 2-1 win over Lazio in extra time and delivered its long-desired and long-awaited 10th Coppa Italia title on Wednesday night. Yes, Matri, the same one Juventus sold to Milan two summers ago. The same Matri that Juventus brought back in the winter transfer window because somebody needed to fill the shoes — not literally, of course, because those things are probably tiny — of Sebastian GIovinco departing for Major League Soccer. And the same Matri who had what looked to be the go-ahead goal called offside — rightly or wrongly — just a short time before he found the back of the net in extra time. OptaPaolo ✔@OptaPaolo 2 - Alessandro Matri has scored in both his two games for Juventus in this #CoppaItalia (4 shots, 2 goals). Present. That's rather efficient, don't you think? Matri proved to be the hero on a night where Juventus were far from their best. In a way, it was like Juve's win over Inter in the Derby d'Italia a few days before — it wasn't pretty or anything close to it, but they just seemed to find a solution after falling behind extremely early in the game. So, basically, Lazio scored too early? Well, maybe. Who would have guessed Giorgio Chiellini would score that kind of goal to even the score at 1-1 just minutes after Lazio took the lead? I mean, Chiellini doing that ... not exactly something we see every day. Or every month. Or every year. for that matter. It was one of the most un-Chiellini-like goals he has scored in his career. It helped Juventus have the chance to win their 10th Coppa Italia. And Matri clinched the game, the domestic double this season and the silver star that comes along with la Decima. Just like we thought would happen in mid-July, right? (Right.) Random thoughts and observations Juventus won the Coppa Italia final without two of their best and most in-form players, Claudio Marchisio and Álvaro Morata. Squad depth is a beautiful thing, man. Will Juventus have any room on their jerseys next season? There are about to be patches and badges galore. Club badge, Scudetto badge, Coppa Italia badge, silver star, maybe some gold stars and the sponsorship logo across the middle of the jersey itself. That's just amazing. And who knows, there could be more to come if everything goes right in a couple of weeks. Juventus got the winning goal from a guy who is on loan from Milan. Thanks, Silvio. Juventus won the club's first Coppa Italia in 20 years thanks in large part to a guy who used to manage at Milan. Thanks, Silvio. Matri's goal in the second half wasn't offside. There's my hot take of the day. Arturo Vidal had nine — count 'em NINE — tackles against Lazio. The next closest Juventus player? Chiellini, who had all of two tackles. Arturo Vidal gonna Arturo Vidal simply because he's a tank who never stops running all over the field. The BBC defensive trident of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Chiellini combined to have 28 clearances on Wednesday night. That's why Max Allegri went with a 3-5-2. It's never a bad thing to have those three guys playing at the same time when you're trying to keep a team from scoring more than one goal and/or defending a lead. Roberto Pereyra is going to have his contract bought in full by Juventus this summer. No. this isn't some kind of inside information. It's simply common logic. Why? Because Pereyra showed once again why he's such a valuable player to have in the squad — no matter if it's in the starting lineup or coming off the bench. Along with Matri, Pereyra made a huge impact off the bench. He won't have the stats or goals to show it like Matri, but Pereyra was a big-time injection of energy when Juventus needed it. Carlos Tévez didn't have a great game, but he sure is great to watch no matter what. He was flying around the field like Vidal until the final whistle. What amazing stamina you must have to play like that for 120 minutes. Another solid game from Patrice Evra. I'll just keep saying this because he deserves it. The 20-year wait is over. Coppa Italia No. 10 is finally heading back to Turin. What a season it has been. And guess what? It's not over yet. Almost, but there's one big prize still to play for.