Juventus win Coppa Italia final with early Vlahovic strike

ROME: Juventus beat Atalanta 1-0 to win a record-extending 15th Coppa Italia on Wednesday as an early strike by Dusan Vlahovic earned Massimiliano Allegri’s side their first trophy in three years.

Juve, who hold both the record for most Italian Cup finals played (22) and won, had not lifted any silverware since they won the competition in 2020-21, when they also beat Atalanta in the final.

Allegri, meanwhile, became the first coach to win the Coppa Italia five times after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Roberto Mancini lifted the trophy on four occasions. “Very happy for the boys, they brought joy to the club, to the fans and to me. Winning is never easy, but it is in our DNA,” Allegri told a press conference.

“If I am no longer the Juventus coach next year, I will leave a strong team. The club will make its evaluations.” Vlahovic put Juventus in front in the fourth minute when he latched onto a pass from Andrea Cambiaso and broke inside the box to send the ball past goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi from around the penalty spot.

Vlahovic, who also found the net when they lost the final to Inter Milan in 2022 (4-2), became the third Juve player to score in two Coppa Italia finals after John Charles (1958-59, 1959-60) and Savino Bellini (1937-38, 1941-42).

“I find it difficult to speak, I can only thank everyone,” Vlahovic told Mediaset. “We know the difficulties we faced, in the end we achieved the objectives set at the beginning of the year. I’m sorry for the Scudetto, but Inter deservedly won it. “We are very happy, but next year we must aim to win everything. Juventus’ DNA requires this.”