Chiesa fires Juventus to Coppa Italia glory
Football
By
Reuters
| May 20, 2021
Federico Chiesa clinched a Coppa Italia triumph for Juventus and a first trophy for coach Andrea Pirlo with a 2-1 victory over Atalanta in the final on Wednesday.
Another early Champions League exit and a limp Serie A title defence left Pirlo staring at a disappointing debut season as Juventus coach, but goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Chiesa earned his side Italian Cup glory.
With fans in attendance for the first time in Italy since March, it was Juve who took the lead at the Mapei Stadium, against the run of play, thanks to a fine finish from Kulusevski in the 31st minute.
Atalanta, looking to win their first Italian Cup since 1963, deservedly levelled through Ruslan Malinovskiy four minutes before the break.
But Pirlo's side stepped it up after the break and Chiesa fired home his 13th goal in all competitions this season in the 73rd minute to spark jubilant scenes among the Juve players and staff at the final whistle.
READ MORE
Forget miraa: Discovery of minerals stirs up Meru locals
How to turn the tide against Kenyans' poor saving culture
Super-rich investors bet on Kenya amid economic gloom
Unlocking the creative power of out-of-home advertising
It's a bumpy ride for e-mobility firms in bid to move past start-up phase
Deepening connections with customers through conversational messaging
Bid to boost Africa's talent pool with tech scholarships in top gear
Kenyan retailers ready to pounce as Ethiopia to open up market
Hiring civil servants on contract will fuel corruption, experts say
"It was wonderful for everyone," Chiesa told Rai Sport. "For those who have suffered in recent months.
"We players are protected but there are people out there who have suffered and are suffering. It is a reward for the efforts made in these difficult months."
Atalanta's Duvan Zapata created the first real chance, using his strength to barge past Matthijs de Ligt before squaring the ball for Jose Luis Palomino, but the defender could not steer the chance home.
It remained all Atalanta, with Zapata's strength continuing to cause problems, but on their first real attack, Juve opened the scoring after Cristiano Ronaldo drove at the heart of the defence, and the ball fell loose for Kulusevski curled home.
Malinovskiy, who scored the winner in the last league meeting between the sides, continued his remarkable run of scoring or assisting in each of his last 10 appearances with a trademark powerful finish to level.
After the break, Atalanta's intensity dropped, with Juve having a great chance to take the lead, but Chiesa could only hit the post after latching on to a backheel from Ronaldo.
Chiesa was not to be denied, however, as he took his tally against Atalanta to five in all competitions - against no other Serie A side has he scored more - with a fine finish after a neat one-two with Kulusevski.
Atalanta threw bodies forward, but they could not test veteran Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, playing potentially his last game for the club, as Pirlo's team clinched a 14th Coppa Italia – five more than any other side – with ease.
- Forget miraa: Discovery of minerals stirs up Meru locals
- Super-rich investors bet on Kenya amid economic gloom
- Hiring civil servants on contract will fuel corruption, experts say
- Kenyan retailers ready to pounce as Ethiopia to open up market
- KQ suspends flights to Kinshasa over detention of staff