Atalanta 1 - 2 Juventus | Coppa Italia Final | 19.05.21

Juventus edged out Atlanta with a 2-1 win in the Coppa Italia Final. Pirlo's men enjoyed a rare night of celebration on Wednesday evening. After weathering a first-half Atlanta stormed, they produced an experienced and clinical display to claim their 14th Coppa trophy. Gigi Buffon proudly lifted the trophy in front of 4,500 fans in Reggio Emilia, in what is likely to be his final game for the Old Lady.

All around Europe, stadiums welcomed the return of fans, and this one was similarly blessed with the presence of the adoring faithful. Atalanta were far better in the first period and rued their inability to capitalize on early chances. They controlled possession for long periods, testing Buffon frequently. Gasparini's men had a couple of great early efforts primarily through Zapata, who caused serious problems for de Light and Chiellini.

Despite their dominance and very much against the run of play, Juve took the lead. Just after the half-hour Kulusevski struck with a glorious finish. Cuadrado started the move with a robust challenge on Gosens, springing a counter-attack for the Old Lady. Kulusevski, occupying the right position, played in Ronaldo, who stumbled, attempting to make his way past Romero. Weston McKennie followed up well, managing to squirm a pass to the former Atalanta man toward the edge of the box before he curled a beautiful effort to the far corner, which left Gollini stranded in the Atalanta goal. A rare bright spark for the Swede, who has had a difficult season like many of his teammates.

Usual service resumed after Juve's lead. Atalanta dictated the play and forced the issue. The Turin side were seemingly accepting of their assignment, countering whenever they won back the ball. Atalanta finally made their pressure pay just before the halftime break. Freuler won the ball high from Rabiot before playing it forward to De Roon, who, in turn, played in Hateboer on the right byline. The Dutchman's clever cut back to the edge of the area found the one person Juventus didn't want to see. With his hammer of a left foot, Malinovskiy flashed a drive beyond Buffon, and the three Juve defenders positioned to block. The Mapei Stadium erupted with the unbridled joy of the Atalanta support - no fake crowd noises needed here.

Juve were a different side after the break. They were the first to come close when McKennie got on the end of a cross from Cuadrado, but De Roon did enough to put him off as the header dropped wide. Not long after, Atlanta had an effort. Malinovskiy fired in a free kick on the edge of the Juventus penalty area. If not for some impressive last-ditch defending, first from Chiellini then de Ligt, in a full-blooded challenge that put his right ankle in some jeopardy, the 'home side' would have taken the lead.

Juventus did superbly to match Atalanta's pressing and intensity from the first period. Kulusevksi had a glimpse of Gollini's goal, but the Italian stopper was equal to his poked strike. Their improvement told as they were presented with a glorious chance on the hour. Chiellini again won a tackle on the touchline, which inadvertently found Ronaldo lurking on the edge. He played a cute backheel to Chiesa, who had made a run inside; the young winger had time to set himself with the whole stadium expecting the net to bulge, but Chiesa could only curl his right-footed effort onto the post and away from danger. Pirlo's side continued to push, plotting another attack minutes later. Ronaldo, quiet for most of the affair, ludicrously controlled a high pass he had no right to engage, but he could only scuff his drive into the grateful hands of the Gollini.

Atalanta's response was to bring on Luis Muriel, super-sub supreme; he entered the fray with 20 minutes to play. but unfortunately for La Dea, it did little to change the passage of play. Juventus finally broke through just after the changes, scoring a magnificent goal. They threaded the ball up and through Atlanta before McKennie's deep cross was retrieved by Chiesa on the left. He stood up his man, Palomino, before accelerating past the defender and playing a one-two with Kulusevski on the edge of the area. Unfazed by his earlier miss, the Italian lashed his strike into the back of the net. It proved to be his last involvement of the game, coming off for Dybala - a man whose status has shrunk as Chiesa's stock has dramatically risen in his debut campaign with the Old Lady.

Gasperini's last throw of the dice was to bring on the mercurial, Ilicic. The Juve goal demanded a response but Atalanta were unable to muster much. Aside from a Muriel strike, which he fired well over the bar, they struggled to carve out any chance equal to those they squandered in the first half.  After the goal, Juve managed the occasion brilliantly. Betancur was excellent in mopping up from his deep-lying position, while Rabiot assisted in defence before springing Juventus attacks. The final ten of the encounter was classic Juve. All on the pitch, Buffon, Chiellini, and Bonnuci were too wily, too experienced to surrender the lead. It left many of us onlookers wondering where these performances have been all season.

The scenes that followed the final whistle would make you think they had won the Champions League, but after the season they've endured, this was a triumph Pirlo, Agnelli, the players and, of course, the fans desperately needed. Atalanta, the pre-game favourites, will be bitterly disappointed to let this final slip through their grasp, but it will do little to dampen their spirits in this extraordinary campaign. For Juve, this victory may just be the boost they need ahead of a final Serie A matchday where even victory over Bologna may not be enough to clinch Champions League qualification for next season.