Football news - Federico Chiesa fires Juventus to Coppa Italia glory with 2-1 win over Atalanta
ByReuters
Updated 19/05/2021 at 21:28 GMT
Juventus secured the Coppa Italia trophy with a 2-1 win over Atalanta on Wednesday evening, as Federico Chiesa's second-half winner earned manager Andrea Pirlo the first piece of silverware of his coaching career. Atalanta, looking to win their first Italian Cup since 1963, were level at the break, but had no answer to Juve's lift in quality after the interval.
L'esultanza di Federico Chiesa, Atalanta-Juventus, Coppa Italia, Getty Images
Image credit: Getty Images
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 to leave the Juve coach something to show for the campaign.
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, almost restoring the lead on the hour mark when Cristinao Ronaldo produced a brilliant backheeled-flick to set up Chiesa, only for his shot to come back off the post.
But the goal did come 12 minutes later, as 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.
The celebrations centered around 43-year-old goalkeeper Gigi Buffon, who was likely playing his final game for Juventus.
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