Juventus Season 2015-2016

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

AC MILAN VS JUVENTUS: TEAM NEWS, TACTICS,
LINEUPS, PREDICTION & STATS | COPPA ITALIA FINAL

Courtesy of Sinisa Mihajlovic, the Serbian taskmaster who was sacked in April somewhat unceremoniously to the horror
and dismay of many fans, Milan have found themselves in the final of the Coppa Italia this season for the first time since 2003.

http://www.thehardtackle.com/news/2016/05/20/ac-milan-vs-juventus-team-news-tactics-lineups-prediction-stats-coppa-italia-final/?

May 20, 2016

Critics of Mihajlovic, however, would be quick to point out that luck was elemental in Milan’s advance to the late stages of the competition, but one can hardly deny the Serbian disciplinarian’s tenacity, zeal and enterprise. After managing to beat Sampdoria in the pre-quarterfinals, they were handed back to back easy draws in Carpi and Alessandria.

Juventus, on the other hand, had to edge Lazio and rivals Inter Milan enroute to the TIM Cup finals. Juventus, however, having won the title a record 10 times, including last year after beating Lazio in a thrilling encounter, have again made the Coppa Italia one of their priorities.


Team News

The final, however, means more to Milan and Christian Brocchi than for Juventus. The Bianconeri continue to ride their high tide of success and glory, while their lacklustre, once-great rivals continue to wallow in their own mediocrity. Juve did a double over Milan this season having beaten them home and away.

Allegri will be without the injured Sami Khedira. Claudio Marchisio is out on a long term injury as well. Sturaro is expected to start alongside Gabon’s Mario Lemina whose stay at Turin is expected to be made permanent over the summer. Bonucci is suspended and Rugani is expected to take his place.

Milan are missing the services of both their first choice fullbacks Ignazio Abate and Luca Antonelli. Yound Davide Calabria and Mattia De Sciglio will be expected to start in their places.


Lineups

AC Milan – 4-3-1-2

Donnarumma, Calabria, Zapata, Romagnoli, De Sciglio, Montolivo, Poli, Kucka, Honda, Bacca, Bonaventura.
 

Juventus – 3-5-2 

Rugani, Barzagli,Chielini, Evra, Sturaro, Pogba, Sturaro, Pereyra, Cuadrado, Mandzukic, Dybala
 

Key Facts

Milan are playing their first Coppa Italia final in 13 years. Last time they won it was in 2003 under Carlo Ancelotti.

Juventus have won the highest number of Coppa Italias (10) followed by AS Roma (9). Milan have won only 5.

Juventus have lost 6 finals whereas Milan have only lost 3 finals – the last one was way back in 1998.

Milan are undefeated in this year’s Coppa Italia.

Milan’s highest goal scorer in Coppa Italia is Niang, who will be missing the game due to a long term injury.


Player to Watch out for

Donnarumma

Gigi Donnarumma is an easy pick from a Milan side that is miles away from the quality Juventus will field on the pitch, despite key injuries in the midfield. The question is how long Donnarumma would be able to keep his side in the match. The young 17 year old prodigy will face Juventus for the 3rd time this season and he will be motivated after having lost the two previous outings.


Paulo Dybala

Dybala broke a dogged Milan side led by Mihajlovic last year after he won the match with his wonderfully struck goal. There are very few equals to him at the moment in Serie A in terms of technical ability and flair. Last time he played against Milan, he gave Romagnoli a torrid time in defense. Having finished the season with 19 goals, he will be the man Milan would want to stop from scoring. His constant movement in an out of the box makes it very difficult for zonal markers to snuff out space for him to operate.


Blast from the Past

The last time these two sides squared off in a Coppa Italia final was way back in 1973 which ended in a 1-1 draw even after extra time. Defensive midfielder Romeo Benetti had cancelled out legendary Roberto Bettega’s opener for Juventus in the 50th minute of play. Milan went on to win the game 5-2 on penalties lifting Milan’s 3rd Coppa Italia trophy.

Match Prediction

There is not much optimism in the Milan camp regarding the final. After a dismal season which concluded in a 3-1 loss to AS Roma, spirits are low. The new coach has a system that is vastly different than the previous one but is proving to be every bit as inadequate.

AC Milan 0-2 Juventus

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Brocchi: ‘Juventus have flaws’

http://www.football-italia.net/84652/brocchi-%E2%80%98juventus-have-flaws%E2%80%99?

May 20, 2016

Milan Coach Cristian Brocchi hails Juventus’ “winning mentality” but “all teams have flaws”.

The two sides meet in the Coppa Italia final tomorrow night, with the Rossoneri needing to win to qualify for the Europa League.

“All teams have flaws,” Brocchi told reporters in his pre-match Press conference.

“The strong ones are those with less and those with great ferocity. Juve have that, with a winning mentality which enabled them to overcome a difficult start to the season.

“But if you fight, you can win.

“There are games where the result matters more than the play. Tomorrow the only thing that matters is giving Juve a hard time.

“I’m always fired-up, from an emotional point of view I live as if I were still a player.

“At the same time, I need to have the calmness to react in the decisive moments of the game against a great Coach like [Max] Allegri.”

Brocchi is only under contract until the end of the season, does he expect to be let go if the Diavolo don’t take home the trophy tomorrow?

“What counts is the final. I’d be happy to continue with Milan, but Brocchi is not important at the moment, what matters is the team playing well in the final.

“If I’m not the Coach next season I’ll have had a wonderful experience.

“As a Coach there are other pressures, especially from outside, but as long as I’ve given 100 per cent I’m not worried.”

President Silvio Berlusconi gave the players a motivational speech today, and the Coach hopes it will help tomorrow.

“He’s always been recognised for his great talent as a motivator,” Brocchi said.

“It’s always nice to hear what he tells you. This morning there was a great speech and his words could have a positive effect.”

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Juventus Coach Respects AC Milan
Threat Ahead Of Coppa Italia Final

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/05/juventus-coach-respects-ac-milan-threat-ahead-of-coppa-italia-final/?

May 20, 2016

AC Milan have a lot to play for and could cause Juventus serious damage in the Coppa Italia final, says Bianconeri boss Massimiliano Allegri.

The Rossoneri finished in a lowly seventh place in the Serie A season, but doesn’t mean that they aren’t to be respected as they fight for their last chance at securing European competition for next year says Allegri.

“We’re aware that we are about to play in a final,” he told the press in his pre match conference.

“We’re playing a Milan side who are presented with their last chance to claim a spot in the Europa League.

“We’ll have to be very good on Saturday.”

Allegri also discussed whether there was a danger in being labelled as heavy favourites for the trophy, saying that whilst he didn’t see it as being dangerous there was still a need to proceed with caution.

“Nothing is dangerous, the important thing is to not underestimate how much effort we need to put in,” he continued.

“Then, after the game, we can go on vacation.”

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

AC Milan stars playing for
their futures, says Montolivo

The 31-year-old midfielder has stressed the importance of Rossoneri
ending an inconsistent season on a massive high by winning the Coppa Italia.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1036/coppa-italia/2016/05/20/23763942/-?

May 20, 2016

AC Milan captain Riccardo Montolivo has warned his team-mates that the Coppa Italia final against Juventus could be the last chance for many of them to prove they deserve a future at San Siro.

Milan, who have only won the Coppa Italia once since 1977, go into Saturday's game in Rome as heavy underdogs, with holders Juventus looking to secure back-to-back doubles.

After finishing seventh in Serie A, Cristian Brocchi's men must win if they are to qualify for next season's Europa League and Montolivo thinks it would be wrong to write them off, despite Juve having beaten them twice this term.

"This is a big chance and it is the last chance for us to prove our quality," the 31-year-old said.

"There is not much point in talking now – Saturday is the last examination, the last chance for everyone to prove they deserve to be part of this team.

"Juve start as favourites, but we can hurt them and I believe in this team. The games against them in the league were balanced – we could have easily beaten them in the second league meeting and we have the ability to cause them problems

"We won't start off the match defeated. We are going to battle and you will see a fully focused Milan.

"We need team spirit and to play between the lines. We are the first to believe in ourselves and we have trained well this week. The thing that we have got wrong most often is our mentality, but that won't happen this time – we will play a good game."

Montolivo concedes Milan have been inconsistent this season, but is optimistic they have the ability to beat anyone on a good day.

"This will be my second final after Euro 2012," continued the Italy midfielder. "We are all eager to get the match underway, we cannot wait.

"We will need to be on our toes and play as a team. We have shown this on several occasions this season while in others we have not and we have put in some woeful performances. Good team spirit will be needed."

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Brocchi urges Milan to end
'suffering' against Juventus

Rossoneri can alleviate the pain of their fans in recent years by beating
the Turin side in the Coppa Italia final, their manager has said.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1036/coppa-italia/2016/05/20/23762512/brocchi-milan-must-end-suffering?ICID=TP_HN_HP_RI_1_2

May 20, 2016

Cristian Brocchi has urged AC Milan to end the "suffering" of their supporters by lifting the Coppa Italia on Saturday.

Milan will face Serie A champions and holders Juventus in Rome in their first Coppa final since they won the 2003 edition with a 6-3 aggregate victory over Roma.

Brocchi, who claimed a winner's medal that year, took charge of the first team following Sinisa Mihajlovic's sacking in April, but was unable to guide Milan to a top-six finish in what proved to be another dismal Serie A campaign.

But the 40-year-old has called on his players to give Juve a fight and bring some positivity back to San Siro.

"It's not every day that you have the opportunity to win a trophy," he said. "It would be something wonderful, especially for those who have suffered for Milan in recent years.

"The players have trained well, I saw something different, but I'm not fooled by that anymore, because they did well before [last week's 3-1 defeat to] Roma, too.

"I really hope they can produce that little bit extra – it's the right moment. Every player has his pride and his professionalism. For many of them this is their last chance to win something.

"Those who are leaving will go with a good memory, they'll bring home a victory which will go into the history of the club."

Juve roared back from a tough start to the season to clinch a fifth Serie A title in a row after a run of 26 wins from the last 28 matches.

A second domestic double in two years under Massimiliano Allegri now beckons, but Brocchi insists there are weaknesses his side can exploit.

"All teams have flaws. The strong ones are those who have fewer, who have real ferocity. Juve have that and a winning mentality that helped them recover from the start of the season," he said.

"But if you fight, you can win. There are games where the result matters more than the play. Tomorrow, the only thing that matters is giving Juve a tough time.

"I'm always fired up – I live as if I were still a player. But at the same time I need to have the calmness to react in the decisive moments of the game against a great coach like Allegri."

Brocchi's future remains uncertain, especially with Milan president Silvio Berlusconi in talks with a Chinese consortium over a potential takeover, but he is interested solely in Saturday's showdown.

"What counts is the final. I'd be happy to continue with Milan, but Brocchi is not important at the moment," he added.

"If I'm not the coach next season, I'll still have had a wonderful experience.

"There are other pressures on you as a coach, especially from outside, but as long as I've given 100 per cent, I'm not worried."

Juve did the double over Milan in Serie A this season, winning 1-0 on home soil in November and 2-1 at San Siro last month.

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Allegri expecting fierce Milan test in Coppa final

A quick look at the Serie A table suggests the Turin side should be overwhelming
favourites, but the ex-Rossoneri coach is taking nothing for granted.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1036/coppa-italia/2016/05/20/23757482/allegri-expecting-stern-challenge?ICID=TP_HN_3

May 20, 2016

Massimiliano Allegri is not expecting an easy ride when Juventus take on his former club AC Milan in the Coppa Italia final on Saturday.

Juve enjoyed another dominant Serie A campaign, recovering from a poor start and romping to their fifth successive Scudetto, finishing nine points clear of Napoli.

Milan, meanwhile, endured another inconsistent season, sacking Sinisa Mihajlovic in April before Cristian Brocchi guided them to seventh.

That league placing means Milan's hopes of qualifying for the Europa League rest solely on defeating Juve, and Allegri is anticipating a well-contested encounter.

"Anything can happen in a one-off game. It's Milan's last chance to play in the Europa League next season," Allegri said in Friday's pre-match media conference.

"We'll see a reaction from Milan tomorrow following their last Serie A game. It will be an evenly-matched affair.

"Our previous games with Milan have always been close. Finals are never easy matches either."

Allegri confirmed that Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala are likely to continue their partnership up front, while Neto will start in goal, as he has done throughout this year's competition.

"Tomorrow's result won't change anything as far as next season's aims are concerned. We want to challenge on every front," Allegri said.

"Tomorrow is our final game of the season. It's our duty to try and win it. Winning would enable us to achieve an extraordinary feat, so that will provide us with added motivation."

Juve won the double of league and cup under Allegri last season, and defender Giorgio Chiellini has his sights firmly set on repeating the feat at the Stadio Olimpico.

"Comparisons with the past? They don't interest me. We're writing history day after day," he said.

"We've trained intensely over the past two weeks and now we need to show it on the pitch.

"This Coppa Italia is very important to us. Achieving a double domestic double would represent a historic achievement."

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Berlusconi's Milan is dead and buried and
the Coppa Italia won't change that

The seven-time champions of Europe need a change of direction - and fast - as they head
into the clash at the Stadio Olimpico with the future of the club very much undecided.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1036/coppa-italia/2016/05/21/23750212/silvios-milan-dead-even-with-coppa-win?ICID=TP_HN_1

May 21, 2016

Casual viewers of Italian football would be forgiven for looking at the participant clubs for Saturday night's Coppa Italia final and expecting a clash of the titans.

At the Stadio Olimpico, Juventus will indeed take on AC Milan with silverware on the line but in a meeting of the runaway league champions against a mediocre mid-table outfit. Juve have swept the board in Italian football over the past few seasons while their Milanese counterparts are without a trophy to speak of since 2011, when they last won the Scudetto.

Milan limped their way to seventh place in the final Serie A standings, winning only two of their last 11 matches, and dropped points to all three relegated teams in that run. That is what Milan have become now - a team light years from the summit and incapable of putting away even the smallest fry.

They have good fortune alone to thank for their place in this final, too. In 2016, Milan have played two rounds of cup football. In the quarter-finals they put out Carpi, who will play in Serie B next season, and in the semis they beat Alessandria, the fourth-best team in the third tier.

This match is only going to go one way, with the double-double-chasing Juventus on an eight-game winning streak against the Rossoneri.

In the dugout for the league champions is Massimiliano Allegri, a victim of short-term thinking at San Siro. He was the man scapegoated for Milan's failings when the club sacked him in 2014. Milan have had four permanent coaches since then. Allegri has won two titles on the spin.

Milan have lumbered from crisis to catastrophe, with Berlusconi attempting to find his own Pep Guardiola-type figure among Clarence Seedorf, Pippo Inzaghi - both of whom Milan are still paying - and now Cristian Brocchi. The former midfielder has a good coaching pedigree, having come from the Milan youth sector, and might well in the future be the man to blood some decent talent into the first team, such as latest academy jewel Manuel Locatelli.

He has, however, failed to arrest the deterioration on the field which Milan decision-makers pinned on his predecessor, Sinisa Mihajlovic. The Serb offered dour football but he was not the only problem.

Overpaid, underwhelming signings like Mario Balotelli, Andrea Bertolacci and Luiz Adriano have added nothing. A lack of investment in the squad would be some kind of an excuse for failure, but here it cannot apply. Milan spent the best part of €90 million on transfers last summer including the three mentioned above as well as Alessio Romagnoli and the only man to pull his weight, Carlos Bacca. Last season's priority was to sign Italians to give the club a native core. They are just as bad this year as they were last.

Sometimes they do have the players and don't know what to do with them; witness the success of Andrea Pirlo at Juventus in his twilight years and the explosion of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after moving on. Most decisions are wrong.

It is inevitable that Berlusconi will soon relinquish control of Milan and even the great old survivor knows it himself. The former Italian prime minister has run the club along with cohort Adriano Galliani for the last 30 years and stated recently he wants to keep it in Italian hands. He figures that might be one way to preserve the legacy of one of the great outfits of European football but the truth is Berlusconi's Milan is on life support.

Even the manner of the transition from Berlusconi's Fininvest group to new owners has been characteristically shoddy. Negotiations with a certain 'Mr Bee', Bee Taechaubol, came to nothing while the latest deal involves a group of Chinese investors. Fininvest have announced that the Chinese will have a period of exclusivity to tie up the purchase of the club but so far there has been no white smoke spotted over San Siro.

There are reports that the potential Chinese owners would want Rudi Garcia or Marco Giampaolo of Empoli to take charge. Elsewhere it is claimed Marcello Lippi is ready to step in as sporting director given his connections to Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao in China. That club is linked to Jack Ma, the owner of online commerce giant Alibaba, who is strongly rumoured to be behind this Milan interest.

At the moment they, better than any other fallen giant, typify the kind of conceit we have come to associate with the clubs seeking to launch a European Super League. Milan have long since ceased to be able to keep up with domestic rivals like Juve and they are further away from Europe than Sassuolo, who finished ahead of them in the league. Yet Milan's Umberto Gandini is chief among those proposing a resettling of the order in European football because his team can no longer get it done on the field. Instead of soul searching, Milan are looking for the easy way out.

Once upon a time, Milan were winning national, continental and intercontinental titles with names like Arrigo Sacchi, Ruud Gullit and Marco Van Basten on the payroll. Today's sham version of this once-proud institution has nothing of the sort. Yet it's the same men in charge who have led them to this point.

The last three seasons have seen them finish eighth, 10th and seventh in Serie A and they need to beat Juventus in order to qualify for the Europa League. European champions as recently as 2007 under Carlo Ancelotti, Milan have got themselves into an inescapable decline under Berlusconi which will not cease until he is gone. This is a club sinking fast and no single Coppa Italia is going to change that.

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Coppa Italia: Probable line-ups

http://www.football-italia.net/84671/coppa-italia-probable-line-ups?

May 21, 2016

The Coppa Italia Final is this evening, as we look at the likely line-ups from Milan and Juventus.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 20.45 CET, 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

This is a one-off game and if there are no winners after 90 minutes, it will go to extra time and if needed also penalties.

The Rossoneri are desperate to win this trophy, as it would salvage their dire season and probably keep Coach Cristian Brocchi on the bench.

Above all, it is Milan’s only chance at qualifying for Europe next season. If they lose this Final, then the last Europa League slot will go to the side that finished sixth in Serie A - Sassuolo.

With this in mind, Sassuolo fans will gather in the town square tonight to watch the game on giant screens and cheer on Juventus.

Brocchi must do without injured Ignazio Abate and Luca Antonelli, so Davide Calabria and Mattia De Sciglio are expected to start as full-backs.

Jack Bonaventura returns from the start after his injury woes and Andrea Poli should get the nod in midfield rather than Andrea Bertolacci or Jose Mauri.

It seems as if Brocchi has shelved the trequartista system, returning to 4-3-3 with Carlos Bacca the focal point and Mario Balotelli on the bench.

Juventus aim to make history by doing the Double Double - winning the Scudetto and Coppa Italia for a second year running.

Leonardo Bonucci is suspended for the Final, while Sami Khedira, Claudio Marchisio and Martin Caceres are injured.

It remains to be seen whether Gigi Buffon will be given the gloves, but it’s most likely Norberto Neto will be in goal, as he has been throughout the Coppa journey.

Mario Mandzukic will lead the attack on his 30th birthday alongside Paulo Dybala, while Hernanes is tipped to start in midfield with Kwadwo Asamoah and Paul Pogba.


Milan (probable)

Donnarumma; Calabria, Zapata, Romagnoli, De Sciglio; Poli, Montolivo, Kucka; Honda, Bacca, Bonaventura


Juventus (probable)

Neto; Rugani, Barzagli, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Hernanes, Asamoah, Evra; Dybala, Mandzukic


Ref: Rocchi

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Berlusconi scraps Milan visit

http://www.football-italia.net/84685/berlusconi-scraps-milan-visit?

May 21, 2016

In what could well be considered a snub to Milan, President Silvio Berlusconi won’t be at tonight’s Coppa Italia Final with Juventus.

The patron had been expected to not only attend at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, but also to visit the team for a pre-match pep-talk.

However, multiple sources now note Berlusconi has cancelled the trip and won’t even be in the stands.

This can be seen as a cooling off for the President with regards to Coach Cristian Brocchi, who has struggled since replacing Sinisa Mihajlovic in April.

The Coppa Italia Final kicks off at 20.45 CET - 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

It is the Rossoneri’s last chance of qualifying for Europe with a victory over holders Juventus.

If Milan lose this Final, then the Europa League spot will go to Sassuolo as the sixth-top side in Serie A.

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Coppa line-ups: Milan-Juventus

http://www.football-italia.net/84730/coppa-line-ups-milan-juventus?

May 21, 2016

Milan rely on Carlos Bacca and Jack Bonaventura, while Juventus hope Mario Mandzukic celebrates his birthday in the Coppa Italia Final.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 20.45 CET - 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

This trophy holds a lot of weight, as Max Allegri can make history by becoming the first Coach to ‘retain’ the Double, having already won the Scudetto and Coppa Italia last season.

For Milan, a victory is the only chance to qualify for the Europa League next term, as otherwise their spot will go to sixth-placed Serie A finishers Sassuolo.

That’s why Sassuolo fans are crowding into the town square tonight to cheer on Juve as they watch the game on giant screens.

Milan are missing Luca Antonelli and Ignazio Abate due to injury, so Mattia De Sciglio and youth team player Davide Calabria take the full-back roles.

Coach Cristian Brocchi’s job is on the line too and he shelves the trequartista system for a 4-3-3 formation with Bonaventura and Keisuke Honda fanning out around Bacca.

Juventus have Leonardo Bonucci suspended for the Final, while Claudio Marchisio, Sami Khedira and Martin Caceres are injured.

Norberto Neto retains the gloves, as he has done throughout the tournament, and Daniele Rugani steps into the back three, but with Andrea Barzagli moving to the centre.

Hernanes and Mario Lemina get rare starts in midfield with Paul Pogba.

Mandzukic celebrates his 30th birthday today and partners Paulo Dybala.


Milan: Donnarumma; Calabria, Zapata, Romagnoli, De Sciglio; Kucka, Montolivo, Poli; Honda, Bacca, Bonaventura

Milan bench: Abbiati, Mexes, Alex, Jose Mauri, Boateng, Locatelli, Bertolacci, Menez, Balotelli, Niang, Luiz Adriano


Juventus: Neto; Rugani, Barzagli, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Lemina, Hernanes, Pogba, Evra; Mandzukic, Dybala

Juventus bench: Buffon, Alex Sandro, Padoin, Asamoah, Sturaro, Cuadrado, Pereyra, Zaza, Morata

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Chiellini: 'Juve want Double'

http://www.football-italia.net/84732/chiellini-juve-want-double?

May 21, 2016

Giorgio Chiellini expects “an entertaining game” between Milan and Juventus in the Coppa Italia Final.

It kicks off at 20.45 CET - 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

“It tends to be an entertaining game between Milan and Juventus,” Bianconeri defender Chiellini told Milan Channel.

“We know of their quality, but we are really hungry to make it another Double.

“We will do everything to win the game.”

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Bacca: 'Fiery and cool Milan'

http://www.football-italia.net/84733/bacca-fiery-and-cool-milan?

May 21, 2016

Carlos Bacca urged Milan to face Juventus in the Coppa Italia Final with “fiery hearts and cool heads.”

It kicks off at 20.45 CET - 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

“We have to stay calm and go into this with fiery hearts and cool heads,” the Colombia international told Milan Channel.

“We trained well and the Coach prepared us very well for this match. We have to give everything and then a little bit more.

“In a Final, every ball is like the last. We hope that this night is a beautiful one for the team.”

Victory is essential for Milan, as otherwise they will miss out on Europe yet again.

“We’ve always worked well from the start of the season, even if we didn’t get the results. Now we have this Final and can’t give Juve any advantages.

“We deserve to be in the Final. We hope with help from God that we can win. It’s good to see so many fans here today, as they always supported us. We hope to give them our best tonight.”

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Galliani: 'Milan's biggest game'

http://www.football-italia.net/84734/galliani-milans-biggest-game?

May 21, 2016

Adriano Galliani confessed the Coppa Italia Final with Juventus is Milan’s “most important game of the season.”

It kicks off at 20.45 CET - 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

“Looking at the Serie A form, Juventus are the favourites, but this trophy for us means whether we’ll get into Europe, win a Cup and consider this to be a positive season.

“It is the most important game of the season for us,” CEO Galliani told Rai Sport.

The Rossoneri will only qualify for the Europa League if they win the Coppa Italia, as otherwise their spot will go to Sassuolo for finishing sixth in Serie A.

“Getting into Europe is fundamental, as after all our success over the years we need to return to that level.

“I saw the players concentrated, but I prefer not to say anything before kick-off. We hope to be celebrating in a couple of hours.”

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Marotta: 'One-off game dangerous'

http://www.football-italia.net/84735/marotta-one-game-dangerous?

May 21, 2016

Juventus director Beppe Marotta warns the Coppa Italia Final with Milan “is a one-off game against a strong rival.”

“This is a one-off game, we are playing against a rival with historic strength and winning the competition would be a source of great pride,” Marotta told Rai Sport.

The Bianconeri seemed unstoppable, but fell to a shock 2-1 defeat at already-relegated Verona.

“It’s normal that our season was focused on Serie A and the Champions League.

“Inevitably motivation lowered a little after we won the Scudetto, but we picked it back up over the last few days and I am certain we’re as motivated as ever, as the history of Juventus deserves.”

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

HT 0-0: Milan scare Juventus

http://www.football-italia.net/84737/ht-milan-scare-juventus?

May 21, 2016

Milan have the better of the first half in the Coppa Italia Final and wasted chances, but Juventus had penalty appeals.

The Bianconeri had the chance to become the first side ever to retain the Double, winning the Scudetto and Coppa Italia for two years running. It meant far more to the Rossoneri, as a victory was their only hope of Europa League qualification, otherwise the spot would go to Sassuolo as sixth-place Serie A finishers.

Leonardo Bonucci sat out a ban with injured Sami Khedira, Claudio Marchisio and Martin Caceres, while Cristian Brocchi shelved the trequartista system for 4-3-3 with Ignazio Abate and Luca Antonelli sidelined.

Davide Calabria ran a huge risk in the opening minutes, as he seemed to clip Paul Pogba’s standing foot as the Frenchman tried to turn, but penalty appeals were waved away.

Jack Bonaventura immediately countered to blast over the bar, then missed a sitter by prodding Calabria’s low cross wide from nine yards.

Milan kept the initiative and all the chances, as Mattia De Sciglio’s strike flashed just past the far top corner and Bonaventura almost caught Neto out at the near post, but the Brazilian managed to get a hand to it.

Andrea Poli fired wide with the inside of the right boot fairly undisturbed from the edge of the area, as the Rossoneri wasted too many chances. Juve were only given a sniff when 17-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma dribbled away from Mario Mandzukic in the box.


Milan 0-0 Juventus (Half-Time)

Milan: Donnarumma; Calabria, Zapata, Romagnoli, De Sciglio; Kucka, Montolivo, Poli; Honda, Bacca, Bonaventura

Juventus: Neto; Rugani, Barzagli, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Lemina, Hernanes, Pogba, Evra; Mandzukic, Dybala

Ref: Rocchi

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

0 - 1

Álvaro Morata 110'

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Milan 0-1 Juventus (AET): Morata grabs
extra-time winner to seal another double

The Spaniard swept home Juan Cuadrado's cross to finally break the deadlock in a poor game
at the Stadio Olimpico, as the Bianconeri toiled in the absence of some key players.

http://www.goal.com/en/match/milan-vs-juventus/2214614/report

May 21, 2016

Alvaro Morata came off the bench in extra time to score the winning goal as Juventus saw off AC Milan in a disappointing Coppa Italia final to secure a second consecutive domestic double.

There was no splitting the sides during regulation time at Stadio Olimpico, but substitute Morata broke Milan hearts in the 110th minute with the crucial strike.

Victory means Juve enter the record books as the first team to complete a Serie A and Coppa Italia double in back-to-back seasons.

It could so easily have been a different story for a Milan side that created the better chances during 90 minutes with Giacomo Bonaventura and Andrea Poli missing their best opportunities.

And that was ultimately punished as Morata swept home Juan Cuadrado's cross deep into extra-time within two minutes of his introduction despite suspicions of offside to secure another major honour for ex-Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri.

Milan, who had late penalty calls turned down, now miss out on Europe for a third straight season, with Sassuolo qualifying for the Europa League.

And head coach Cristian Brocchi - who replaced Sinisa Mihajlovic until the end of the campaign in April - faces an uncertain future with rumours of a Chinese consortium taking over continuing to gather pace.

Brocchi, a victor with Milan the last time they won the Coppa in 2003, would have been happy with Milan's aggressive start, but Juve were perhaps unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Paul Pogba was clipped by Davide Calabria in the area.

Calabria was involved at the other end in the 13th minute when his teasing cross was prodded just wide of the right-hand post by Bonaventura.

Bonaventura again troubled the Juventus defence by cutting in from the left and angling a low strike that was deflected to force Neto into a smart reaction save with the ball squirming towards goal.

Allegri's men were handed a huge reprieve when Juraj Kucka picked up a wayward pass in the middle and launched a lightning counter-attack that ended with Poli wastefully side-footing over from Keisuke Honda's cut-back.

Milan were wayward again shortly after the restart as this time Kucka dragged wide when unmarked 20 yards from goal.

That failure to score was almost punished in the 69th minute when Pogba found space in the area and his shot was brilliantly saved low to the right by Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was wrong-footed by a big deflection.

Milan pushed in the closing stages, but a goal was not forthcoming and the match headed for extra-time.

Juve had the first opportunity of the additional time with Pogba bringing the best out of Donnarumma with a 25-yard drive, while Carlos Bacca saw an acrobatic effort go narrowly over the crossbar.

But with the clock winding down Juve grabbed a dramatic winner, Cuadrado centred from the right and Morata - who has been linked with a close-season exit - swept home first time.

Milan's calls for offside went unheard and they were further aggrieved when Honda went down, only to see his penalty appeals against Giorgio Chiellini waved away.

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

0 - 1

Álvaro Morata 110'

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Coppa Italia: Morata in extra time

Alvaro Morata came off the bench to give Juventus their second
consecutive Coppa Italia, beating an impressive Milan in extra time.

http://www.football-italia.net/84739/coppa-italia-morata-extra-time?

May 21, 2016

Not only does it rule the Rossoneri out of Europe, it sends Sassuolo into their first ever continental competition.

The Bianconeri had the chance to become the first side ever to retain the Double, winning the Scudetto and Coppa Italia for two years running. It meant far more to the Rossoneri, as a victory was their only hope of Europa League qualification, otherwise the spot would go to Sassuolo as sixth-place Serie A finishers.

Leonardo Bonucci sat out a ban with injured Sami Khedira, Claudio Marchisio and Martin Caceres, while Cristian Brocchi shelved the trequartista system for 4-3-3 with Ignazio Abate and Luca Antonelli sidelined.

This was the fourth Final between these sides with two Juve wins and one for Milan in 1973.

Davide Calabria ran a huge risk in the opening minutes, as he seemed to clip Paul Pogba’s standing foot as the Frenchman tried to turn, but penalty appeals were waved away.

Jack Bonaventura immediately countered to blast over the bar, then missed a sitter by prodding Calabria’s low cross wide from nine yards.

Milan kept the initiative and all the chances, as Mattia De Sciglio’s strike flashed just past the far top corner and Bonaventura almost caught Neto out at the near post, but the Brazilian managed to get a hand to it.

Andrea Poli fired wide with the inside of the right boot fairly undisturbed from the edge of the area, as the Rossoneri wasted too many chances. Juve were only given a sniff when 17-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma dribbled away from Mario Mandzukic in the box.

After the restart, Juraj Kucka and De Sciglio had promising efforts and Donnarumma got down to fingertip Mario Lemina’s low cross away from Mandzukic, who otherwise would’ve had an empty net to tap into.

A dangerous cross from the right was deflected off Honda and inches past Bacca at the far stick and Kucka wasted another promising counter. Patrice Evra was having real problems with Calabria, so Alex Sandro came on.

On 69 minutes Pogba’s deflected effort was about to squirm in at the base of the near post, but Donnarumma managed to get a hand to it and Riccardo Montolivo hoofed the loose ball clear from Mandzukic.

Juve started to get into the game more and Stephan Lichtsteiner’s header was straight at Donnarumma, while the goalkeeper fumbled a Mandzukic cross-shot and Neto blocked yet another De Sciglio strike.

Pogba’s snapshot was fierce, but central, and Brocchi made his first substitution after 84 minutes. M’Baye Niang made his comeback after fracturing his leg in a car accident on February 29.

In stoppages Juan Cuadrado got a decisive header to stop Calabria’s cross reaching Honda unmarked.

It ended 0-0 and therefore the Coppa Italia Final goes to extra time. Montolivo gave the ball away in midfield and Donnarumma flew to palm away the Pogba snapshot. Moments later Carlos Bacca’s overhead kick was inches past the bar on a poor Alex Sandro clearance.

Juventus were the team who finally broke the deadlock, as Morata came off the bench and scored with practically his first touch. He was left unmarked and sprung the offside trap for a low volley from 10 yards on Juan Cuadrado’s cross. It was an emotional celebration, as there’s a very good chance it was his final appearance in a Juve jersey before Real Madrid activate their buy-back clause.

A late free kick was not cleared properly and Jose Mauri smashed his finish just wide of the upright. Honda also had penalty appeals, but Chiellini seemed to do just enough to steer him off balance rather than actually foul him.


Milan 0-1 Juventus aet

Scorers: Morata 110 (J)

Milan: Donnarumma; Calabria, Zapata, Romagnoli, De Sciglio; Kucka, Montolivo (Jose Mauri 108), Poli (Niang 84); Honda, Bacca, Bonaventura

Juventus: Neto; Rugani, Barzagli, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner (Cuadrado 75), Lemina, Hernanes (Morata 108), Pogba, Evra (Alex Sandro 61); Mandzukic, Dybala

Ref: Rocchi

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

0 - 1

Álvaro Morata 110'

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

AC Milan 0-1 Juventus: Morata Magic
Carries Bianconeri To Coppa Italia Glory

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/05/ac-milan-0-1-juventus-morata-magic-carries-bianconeri-to-coppa-italia-glory/?

May 21, 2016

Juventus have won the TIM Cup, defeating AC Milan 1-0 after extra time at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

After a first half that saw Milan dominate proceedings with precious little to show for it, Juventus slowly came into the match in the second frame but neither side could seize initiative. Extra time had slowed to a snail’s pace before Alvaro Morata scored the late winner with his first touch of the match.

It took just eight minutes for controversy to strike, as Davide Calabria seemed to clip Paul Pogba from behind after some nice footwork from the Frenchman but referee Gianluca Rocchi waved play on.

The first solid piece of attacking play fell to Milan 13 minutes in when an early low Calabria cross found Giacomo Bonaventura but the Italian could only poke wide at the near post.

Bonaventura and Mattia De Sciglio had efforts from outside the box finish over the bar before the versatile Italian midfielder caught goalkeeper Neto wrong-footed, the Brazilian able to readjust himself in time to make the awkward save.

In the 39th minute a dangerous Rossoneri counter attack saw Keisuke Honda lay the ball into the path of Andrea Poli but the midfielder ballooned his shot over, before the Japanese wasted a chance of his own in similar fashion as Milan just could not keep their efforts down.

Juventus meanwhile, were unable to find any sort of rhythm in the opening stanza and seemed to lack competitive sharpness, kept under pressure constantly by their counterparts.

The early stages of the second half saw Milan in control but continued to be let down with a lack of quality in the final third.

Incredibly, it took Juventus over an hour to generate a decent scoring attempt, when Hernanes curled his shot over the bar.

The Bianconeri were finally beginning to play and in the 70th minute Pogba tried to catch Donnarumma flatfooted at the near post but the teenager was able to get down well to make the save.

Aside from an 80th-minute long-range effort by Pogba that finished straight into the chest of Donnarumma, the final 20 minutes of normal time were played without real incident.

In the first period of extra time, Pogba forced a diving save out of Donnarumma in the 102nd minute before a spectacular Carlos Bacca overhead kick finished just over the bar.

Just when it looked as if the tie was destined for penalty kicks, Morata stepped up in the 110th minute to volley home a Juan Cuadrado cross at the near post, seconds after his introduction.

The victory awards the Bianconeri the domestic double for a record second consecutive season while Milan now officially miss out on Europe, much to the delight of Sassuolo.

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

0 - 1

Álvaro Morata 110'

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Juventus edge past AC Milan in extra time
to win Coppa Italia and seal domestic double

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/juventus/coppa-italia/result/result-juventus-edge-past-ac-milan-to-win-coppa-italia_273210.html

May 21, 2016

Juventus have clinched a domestic double for the second season in succession after beating AC Milan 1-0 after extra time in the final of the Coppa Italia.

The Rossoneri were first to threaten as Giacomo Bonaventura edged into the penalty area just before the quarter-hour mark and shot narrowly wide of the right post.

Andrea Poli then blasted just over the bar from the edge of the box after good work from Keisuke Honda in the 39th minute.

Milan's teenage goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was in inspired form as he kept out efforts from Paul Pogba and Mario Lemina, helping Cristian Brocchi's charges maintain a clean sheet and force extra time.

Juve, the more dangerous side on the night, ultimately grabbed the winner in the 110th minute as Alvaro Morata volleyed the ball from inside the box into the bottom left corner.

The result means that Massimiliano Allegri's side have claimed both the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia two seasons running.

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

0 - 1

Álvaro Morata 110'

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Juventus secure Coppa Italia crown
thanks to Alvaro Morata goal

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/report?gameId=445358

May 21, 2016

Substitute Alvaro Morata fired Juventus to an historic second consecutive domestic double with an extra-time strike to see off AC Milan 1-0 in the Coppa Italia final.

Morata blasted home Juan Cuadrado's cross with his first meaningful touch after joining the Stadio Olimpico fray in the second period of extra time.

Listless attack from both sides led to an uninspiring stalemate after 90 minutes - and just when both teams were gearing up for penalties, Spain hitman Morata settled the argument.

Juventus became the first team in Italy's history to pull off back-to-back Serie A and Coppa Italia doubles, denying AC Milan European qualification in the process.

Milan's seventh-place Serie A finish and failure to land the Coppa Italia means Sassuolo have now qualified for Europe for the first time.

Max Allegri's Juventus side won Serie A by nine points, but struggled to impose any authority on a low-quality cup final in Rome on Saturday night.

The two shot-shy sides laboured through the initial 90 minutes failing to create any fully-fledged chances for goals.

Juve were furious to be denied a penalty when Davide Calabria appeared to clip Paul Pogba in the box in the opening exchanges however. But after that both sides flattered to deceive and almost seemed to tiptoe around each other's final third.

Giacomo Bonaventura fired over from distance for Milan, before flicking a low cross wide from mere yards out, while Andrea Poli side-footed meekly over despite acres of time and space.

Lacklustre Juve just about upped the pace after the break, with Milan keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma palming a cross away from Mario Mandzukic.

Pogba's low cross deflected off Cristian Zapata as time ticked away, but again Donnarumma was alert to the danger, tipping round the post.

Pogba drew a solid save from Donnarumma in the first period of extra time, with a 20-yard drive, before Carlos Bacca flicked an overhead kick too high for Milan.

Former Real Madrid striker Morata showed both sides' attacking talents just how to finish when he finally joined the fray however.

Pulling away from the cover in the box, the 23-year-old took Juan Cuadrado's cross on the half-volley, and lashed the ball past the despairing Donnarumma.

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

0 - 1

Álvaro Morata 110'

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

AC Milan 0-1 Juventus (AET): Alvaro Morata's
extra-time strike clinches Coppa Italia victory

Substitute Alvaro Morata scored an extra-time winner for Juventus
as they beat AC Milan 1-0 to clinch the Coppa Italia.

http://www.skysports.com/football/ac-milan-vs-juventus/report/354638?

May 21, 2016

The Spanish striker emerged from the bench in the 108th minute, and fired the decisive goal just two minutes later at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night.

The result secured a second consecutive domestic double for Juventus, becoming the first Italian team in history to do so.

For AC Milan, it's now five years since they last won a trophy, and it also means they'll be without European football next season.

Thirty-four points separated the sides at the end of the Serie A season, but you wouldn't have been able to tell that from the opening 45 minutes as seventh-placed Milan dominated the champions.

Cristian Brocchi's side got out of the traps early and did superbly to quell an out-of-sorts Juventus, but failed to convert possession and territory into any real chances.

Too often Milan worked the ball into great positions, but failed to produce anything of any real note in terms of a final pass, cross or shot. Davide Calabria was perhaps more guilty than most. On a number of occasions the right-back found space down the flank for Milan, but he managed to turn hitting the first man with his crosses into something of an art form over the course of the first hour.

Paul Pogba, so often the inspiration for Juventus, cut a largely frustrated figure in the middle of the park for most of normal time, too often trying to take the game to Milan on his own.

One of his runs into the box did, however, produce arguably their best chance of the game after 69 minutes, as he latched onto substitute Alex Sandro's fine reverse pass before seeing his effort almost deflected just inside the near post. But 17-year-old Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma got down well to keep it out.

Neither side was good enough, in truth, to deserve the victory in 90 minutes, but the attacking quality didn't really improve at first in extra-time either.

Juve's attacking pair of Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala were struggling, while Carlos Bacca wasn't doing much better at the other end for Milan.

It took 104 minutes for the Colombian to have anything approaching a sight of goal, and even then it wasn't an easy chance. A loose header from Giorgio Chiellini dropped to him in space in the box, but he couldn't quite squeeze his overhead bicycle kick under the bar.

Juventus boss Max Allegri waited until the second half of extra time to unleash Morata, and his decision to finally do so paid off almost immediately.

A Juventus break saw another substitute in Juan Cuadrado released down the right, before his lifted cross was finished first time with a superb clinical touch by Morata at the far post.

Milan responded straight away as Brocchi threw on Mario Balotelli for the closing minutes, but the man who has become known for creating drama couldn't produce any more as Juventus held on for victory.

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

0 - 1

Álvaro Morata 110'

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

RATINGS: Milan 0-1 Juventus (AET)

http://www.goal.com/en/match/milan-vs-juventus/2214614/ratings

May 21, 2016
 

Milan

99 G. Donnarumma - Made a great save to deny Pogba late on, with the teenage goalkeeper commanding his area very well indeed.

96 D. Calabria - Broke down the right-hand side well and was a real threat in the first-half with his teasing deliveries.

17 C. Zapata - The Colombia international was physical and dominant in the air, ensuring that Mandzukic had a long evening.

13. Romagnoli - Not the best with his feet, but ensured that Mandzukic and Dybala had a very quiet evening in the Juve attack.

2 M. De Sciglio - Tracked back well and ensured that Lichtsteiner had limited luck throughout his period on the field of play.

27 J. Kucka - Drove into some dangerous areas, but couldn't quite provide a final ball or finish when needed.

18 R. Montolivo - Struggled due to tiredness and possible injury, but the Milan captain lead by example and stroked the ball around nicely.

16 A. Poli - Worked very hard and pressed hard throughout the contest, but didn't have any quality to offer in the final third.

10 K. Honda - Went on some mazy runs, but the Japan international couldn't translate that nor free-kick opportunities into assists.

70 C. Bacca - Went close with an over-head kick effort, but otherwise struggled to get good service in the penalty box.

28 G. Bonaventura - His set-pieces caused a few problems, but the Atalanta man's shooting from around the box was hit and miss.


Substitutes

19 M. Niang - Careless in possession, but had the legs to threaten on the break.

45 M. Balotelli - Won some free-kicks in good areas late on.

4 J. Mauri - Fired agonisingly wide in the dying moments.


 

Juventus

25 Neto - Made a couple of good saves and helped his side to a clean sheet by not taking any chances.

24 D. Rugani - Picked up a rare booking, but the young Italian was otherwise solid, aside from when he was pulled out wide.

15 A. Barzagli - Calm and neat on the ball, but played with safety in mind when lashing some hurried clearances away.

3 G. Chiellini - Physical and battled well aerially, even sliding into two last-ditch challenges to keep the Rossoneri at bay.

26 S. Lichtsteiner - Broke into dangerous areas on a few occasions, but the Swiss wing-back offered little in the final third.

18 M. Lemina - Neat in possession, with the Gabonese midfielder even firing a couple of long-range efforts in on goal.

11 Hernanes - Struggled to impose himself on the game and didn't take the contest by the scruff of the neck at all.

10 P. Pogba - The Frenchman forced Donnarumma into one good save and tried to lead his side on some dangerous breaks.

33 P. Evra - Struggled to get into the game and his contributions offensively were limited to a couple of deflected crosses.

17 M. Mandžukić - The Croatia international worked very hard and tracked back well, but offered little up top.

21 P. Dybala - Didn't create anything for himself and his teammates, with the ex-Palermo man kept under wraps for the most part.


Substitutes

12 Alex Sandro - Offered width and some dangerous deliveries in from the left-hand side.

16 J. Cuadrado - Picked out a lovely diagonal cross for the match winning goal, allowing Morata to fire home.

9 Álvaro Morata - Morata swept home a lovely finish at the back post, after a neat break from Cuadrado.

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

0 - 1

Álvaro Morata 110'

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Morata: 'Milan made it tough'

http://www.football-italia.net/84740/morata-milan-made-it-tough?

May 21, 2016
 
Alvaro Morata “had to compliment Milan,” but wouldn’t discuss his future after giving Juventus the Coppa Italia.

He came off the bench in extra time to secure the 1-0 victory at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

“I am very happy for this match, a season and another trophy for Juve. Yesterday my friends said I’d come off the bench and score, so they were right,” he told Rai Sport.

“Today was a good day. My father and friends are in the stands. Since I met my girlfriend, I’ve been a different player on the pitch too.

“We have to compliment Milan, as they put in a fine performance and made it really difficult for us, but it’s the result that counts.”

Real Madrid have a buy-back option, so was this Morata’s last game for Juventus?

“It’s not my last game of the season, as I have to play in the Euros. I have to make the most of my current form and not even think about the future.”

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

0 - 1

Álvaro Morata 110'

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Montolivo: 'Milan deserved more'

http://www.football-italia.net/84741/montolivo-milan-deserved-more?

May 21, 2016
 
Riccardo Montolivo felt “Milan deserved to win on points, but Juventus were clinical” in the Coppa Italia Final.

The Rossoneri had the better of the first half, but failed to finish off their chances and Alvaro Morata came off the bench for the 1-0 result in extra time.

“It’s disappointing, as if it was a boxing match we’d have won on points,” Montolivo told Rai Sport.

“Unfortunately you need that final moment to finish chances off and we lacked that today, whereas Juve were clinical.

“If we had played this way throughout the season, it would’ve been a very different campaign.

“Now we have to put a line under it and evaluate where to go next. I think the team gave everything it had.”

Milan are out of Europe for the third year running, as Sassuolo go into the Europa League.

[Socrates 7971]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

0 - 1

Álvaro Morata 110'

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Coppa Italia Final 2016: Score, Report
and Reaction from AC Milan vs. Juventus

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2641555-coppa-italia-final-2016-score-report-and-reaction-from-ac-milan-vs-juventus?

May 21, 2016
 
Juventus won the 2016 Coppa Italia with a 1-0 extra-time victory over AC Milan on Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico.

Alvaro Morata scored the winning goal with 10 minutes to play in the second half of additional time, sweeping in a superb half-volley two minutes after replacing Hernanes.

The narrow triumph has secured Juve's place in history as the first side in Italian football to win a domestic league and cup double in consecutive seasons, and they have now won the trophy on 11 occasions.

AC Milan began the better of the two sides in Rome, with some impressive energy, strong running and pressure from Cristian Brocchi's men.

Juraj Kucka started brightly in the Rossoneri midfield, bringing the ball up the pitch regularly and combining well with Giacomo Bonaventura. Juve were on the back foot in the opening stages of the contest, perhaps due to their weakened starting line-up, with head coach Massimiliano Allegri leaving Gianluigi Buffon, Alvaro Morata and Juan Cuadrado on the bench for the final.

Nineteen-year-old winger Davide Calabria darted down the right flank and did superbly well to pick out Bonaventura at the back post after 15 minutes. However, the former Atalanta midfielder controlled well but could only strike his shot wide of goal.

The Old Lady of Italian football were unable to make their presence felt on the contest and were under pressure again soon after through Mattia De Sciglio. The Italian international cut inside before striking a powerful effort that skimmed the top of the crossbar. Bonaventura then tested stand-in stopper Neto with a low shot that the Brazilian did well to turn away from goal.

Former Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra provided Juve with their best chance of the match on the 30-minute mark, driving an effort on goal that was deflected into the side netting. That move appeared to spring life into Allegri's men, as they began to play with increased confidence and intent in their opposition's half.

Paulo Dybala showed his ambition with a fine run down the right-hand side before feeding Stefan Lichtsteiner down the byline. The Swiss international's low cross found Mario Mandzukic, but the Croat could only bundle his finish, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma flicking his effort to safety.

Juve's impressive late showing in the first 45 minutes continued following the half-time interval. Paul Pogba—who was restrained during the opening half—tested Donnarumma with a pair of free-kicks, but neither was close enough to the target to truly test the youngster between the sticks.

With 20 minutes to play, the 17-year-old sensation denied the French playmaker once more, with his low, stabbed effort towards the bottom corner well turned away with a strong palm.

Extra time appeared inevitable as the clock began to tick down in the Italian capital, with Juve turning to desperation in a bid to seal victory in normal time. Ex-Manchester United playmaker Pogba struck a fizzing effort from 30 yards out that flew off target before Mario Lemina and Dybala struck similar wayward efforts soon after.

The quality of the contest reduced in extra time, as neither side was able to create significant chances on goal, with both sets of players tiring late on in the match.

However, with 10 minutes remaining in the second period of additional time, Morata unleashed a moment of brilliance to net the winner. Arriving on the scene just two minutes earlier in place of Brazilian midfielder Hernanes, the former Real Madrid striker produced a sublime half-volley to finally beat Donnarumma.

Cuadrado's scooped effort towards the back post was perfectly met by the Spaniard, whose controlled finish secured an unprecedented second successive league and cup double for Juventus.


Post-Match Reaction

Match winner Morata was delighted to help the Turin giants secure their place in history with a famous win over their Serie A rivals but refused to be drawn on whether he would remain at the club with transfer rumours speculating a possible move away.

Per Football-Italia, the Spanish forward was coy when asked by Rai Sport about next year's plans.

I am very happy for this match, a season and another trophy for Juve. Yesterday my friends said I’d come off the bench and score, so they were right.

Today was a good day. My father and friends are in the stands. Since I met my girlfriend, I’ve been a different player on the pitch too.

We have to compliment Milan, as they put in a fine performance and made it really difficult for us, but it’s the result that counts.

He added: "It’s not my last game of the season, as I have to play in the Euros. I have to make the most of my current form and not even think about the future."

Meanwhile, AC Milan midfielder Riccardo Montolivo believes his side deserved to win their first trophy since their 2010-11 Scudetto.

Per Football-Italia, the former Fiorentina playmaker told Rai Sport that Juve's clinical finishing proved decisive.

It’s disappointing, as if it was a boxing match we’d have won on points. Unfortunately you need that final moment to finish chances off and we lacked that today, whereas Juve were clinical.

If we had played this way throughout the season, it would’ve been a very different campaign. Now we have to put a line under it and evaluate where to go next. I think the team gave everything it had.

Milan are next in action in two month's time during their pre-season tournament in the International Champions Cup alongside Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Chelsea.