Juventus v Lazio
Coppa Italia Final – Wednesday, 17th May – 19:45 GMT – Stadio Olimpico
Juventus
Juventus come off a pretty horrid performance against Roma, where they failed to withstand the opponent’s charge in the second half and conceded three goals, something that should not happen considering that the defence has been capable of shutting down the Barcelona attack in the near past. That means that the bout was not tackled with the adequate focus. Massimiliano Allegri opted to rest Paulo Dybala and when he is not out there, it is always trouble, especially when Juan Cuadrado is not having his best match. The coach also reverted back to a three-man midfield featuring Mario Lemina and Stefano Sturaro alongside Miralem Pjanic: the two youngsters had a dynamic performance, but all in all, the whole department did not have the usual weight.
Roma cut the lead to four points, so Juventus are still firmly in the driver’s seat for the title and will simply need to take care of business in one of the next two games. Unfortunately, there will be no Scudetto parade because the management cancelled the planned celebration scheduled after the Crotone game out of superstition after the Olimpico debacle.
Up next, the Coppa Italia final against Lazio. Considering the rotation in the Roma game, this has been regarded as a priority and how could it not be. The Old Lady has won the last two editions and will try to three-peat for the first time in history. It helps to have a good tradition against this opponent, as we have won the last nine encounters.
There are two big doubts concerning the lineup: Paulo Dybala is dealing with a sore flexor, while Mario Mandzukic received a big blow to the back in the last tilt. Both are questionable heading into the final and could decide to bite the bullet considering the circumstance. The situation of the Argentinian is trickier because you can not absolutely risk to lose him for a month in case of a strain. Therefore, there is a little more optimism about the Croatian, who is nursing a painful bruise that should not linger much further.
Dybala’s presence will dictate the formation: there is no 4-2-3-1 without him. Mandzukic could be replaced by Stefano Sturaro, even though he is meh there, or by putting both Alex Sandro and Kwadwo Asamoah together. 4-4-2 and not 4-2-3-1 is the likeliest choice in case La Joya is not able to recover, with two pure forwards and a strong flank game to feed them. If both are out, Allegri will have to work hard to come up with a passable attack: an idea could be to move Juan Cuadrado to the left and advance Dani Alves in the trident.
The Brazilian fullback is set to feature from the kick off, either at right back or winger. In the second case, Andrea Barzagli would have a better chance to start than Stephan Lichtsteiner. The fact that Tomas Rincon was not used on Sunday is probably an indication that he will play in this one, alongside Claudio Marchisio since Miralem Pjanic is suspended. Giorgio Chiellini and Alex Sandro will return with the XI. I would not put it past the coaching staff to use Barzagli in place of Leonardo Bonucci. Norberto Neto is set to finish off his Coppa Italia run.
4-2-3-1: Neto; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Sandro; Rincon, Marchisio; Alves, Dybala, Mandzukic; Higuain.
Injuries:
Khedira (hamstring), Rugani (tibia), Pjaca (knee).
Suspensions:
Pjanic.
Lazio
Lazio will try to stop Juventus’ attempt to put the first step toward the treble and take their revenge after the 2015 final, which was decided by an overtime goal by none other than Alessandro Matri. They basically rested all their best players against Fiorentina as they are already fairly sure to finish in fourth position. A terrific season for Simone Inzaghi, who was retained after the failed courtship of Marcelo Bielsa and proved to be a Serie A caliber coach.
They have used two tactics this season: 4-3-3 and 3-5-2. For a while, they preferred having Balde Keita off the bench in order to sub in an impact guy. However, he is playing so well that it would be asinine to keep him out right now; he is thriving now that he is playing more centrally. He has scored seven goals in the last four matches, so they will wisely choose to stick with what is working. The downside is that Felipe Anderson is headed to the bench and, despite disappointing a little bit this season, he remains their best offensive distributor. An extreme solution would be to use him as RWB, but that is probably too offensive for a game against Juventus.
Marco Parolo appeared to have injured his knee against Fiorentina, but he practiced in the days prior to the game and should start. Therefore, Inzaghi will not need to do much gymnastics to find an XI: Parolo and Lucas Biglia in the midfield, Senad Lulic on the left and Dusan Basta on the right. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic plays an hybrid role, both as box-to-box and attacking midfielder. In case of absence by Parolo, Lulic will be slotted in the middle, with Patric or Basta on the left since Jordan Lukaku will be sidelined by a muscular injury.
There is a little in the defence, where they have rotated all the men they had at disposal, between the explosive Bastos and Stefan Radu, who has a little edge because of his experience, but the Angolan colossus has done well when his name was called up and could be better suited to go to war with Mandzukic. Stefan De Vrij and Wallace will complete the trio.
Keita is on fire and poses the biggest threat: he is so slick and has improved on his finishing over the last two years. Paired with a 25-goal striker like Ciro Immobile, that is a potent attack. In general, they are so stout, poised and physical. If they managed to erase the burden of the lengthy losing streak, they could have a real chance at grabbing the trophy.
3-5-2: Strokosha; Bastos, De Vrij, Wallace; Basta, Parolo, Biglia, Milinkovic-Savic, Lulic; Immobile, Keita.
Injuries:
Lukaku (hamstring), Marchetti (knee).
Suspensions:
None.
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I’ve always seen Lazio as a tough opponent when it come to Coppa Italia games. This one won’t be an exception. Hopefully we grab the first of three trophies for this season tonight!
I certainly will not begrudge them a victory for their resurgence under Inzaghi has been classy. Will also be very interesting to see Keita, who we do appear to be seriously interested in and as he is now proving himself centrally, he could offer a great alternative to dybala.
Its the first chance of silverware after a long, gruelling season, and all we can hope for is that we regain our rhythm, avoid any injuries and win, by hook or crook!
If we play the way we played in the CL so far, this game is in the bag! A big if though, after the Roma outing.
Though the least of the possible trophies, I would hate losing out on it. I want that Treble! Even if only to use it against Inter fans!
It’ll be difficult in the centre of the pitch, especially if they go 3-5-2. Hope we play Barzagli and Alves – Players look knackered of late….which is understandable
That might have been the best goal Dani scored this season!!
the best 1 was against Monaco
Ur right I was probably high, or too mesmerized by how good of a touch that was lol
Leooooo 2-0
One out of three secured! Nice game
Great win. Only concern is Pipita and his final grudge. Getting nervous for Cardiff with him. He had 2 clear chances today.
our fears are realizing, He has been very Lackluster in the Champions League, and it seemed he had managed to compose himself for Monaco, But today he want back to “Same ol’ Higuain” The first chance he had where he controlled it with his chest was a bot unlucky, but that one on one he had was terrible
We are talking here about 94 Million…..
90m striker should convert when 1on1 god damn
he should………..
To be fair he was really solid against Monaco. I think pipita will be ready for the final, no doubt in my mind. My only concern is the defensive right side for Juve. Alves is great going forward but does tend to leave holes.
there is no question how Invaluable Pipita has been for us this season, however he seems to loose grip in europe; and against RealMadrid where every goal scoring chance will count and can make all the difference, Pipita is quit the nail biter. For 90M we should have a striker of Luis Suarez/ Aubameyang/ Lewandowski quality; but instead we got one of quality slightly better than Benzema ROFL.
Judging by our transfer movements, or Potential Fanciful Transfer movements i should say. It would appear that Shick or Keita will be our second ST/CF and that is worrisome, because again: We have no one adept at scoring in Europe! ….. Unless we sign Sanchez (who doesn’t seem like a possibility anymore) or Mbappe (whom every rich club will be after)
We desperately need a european KILLER!!! I insist on Sturridge still! i know he gets injured a lot….but so did Khedira, and look how he has turned out. and seeing how Klopp rates lackluster Origi above Sturridge, well now is our chance of capitalizing on the mistakes of a great coach who hardly makes mistakes! he will be a bargin the quality of wich Beppe and the gang are used to signing!
1/3 ✓
Neto was FIRE today!