Juventus 1-0 Atalanta (2-0 on aggregate): Juve on course for fourth straight Coppa Italia after hard-fought victory
Wednesday 28 February 2018 19:32, UK
Juventus stuttered to victory but kept themselves on course for a fourth consecutive Coppa Italia title as Miralem Pjanic's penalty gave them a 1-0 win (2-0 on aggregate) over Atalanta.
Pjanic smashed the ball down the middle from 12 yards with 15 minutes to go, after Blaise Matuidi had been felled by Gianluca Mancini as the two battled for Stephan Lichtsteiner's cross.
Atalanta had shaded the opening period without turning their territorial advantage into clear chances, and were often let down by overplaying or poor final passes.
After half-time, Alejandro Gomez beat Gianluigi Buffon in a race 40 yards from goal but curled against the frame of the goal. Atalanta were made to pay when Pjanic added to Gonzalo Higuain's first-leg strike to send the hosts through.
Atalanta had to wrestle with the mental intimidation of Juventus' recent form but took the game to their hosts throughout the first 45 minutes, harrying and hassling them and keeping the Old Lady camped inside their own half.
They came closest when Marten de Roon tried to play in Josip Ilicic on the edge of the box, but his backheel was needlessly risky and wasted the opportunity.
Giorgio Chiellini could also have seen red for a reckless lunge on Mattia Caldara, but Juve hung on without allowing Atalanta a clear-cut opportunity to really test Buffon before the break.
But that changed after half-time, even with Juve taking control of the match, when Gomez was played clear by De Roon and chipped Buffon from 40 yards, but his curling lob struck the post and spared the veteran goalkeeper's blushes.
Juventus responded by striking the woodwork themselves when Douglas Costa took aim from the edge of the area, and were handed a wonderful chance to seal their progression when Mancini got too much of Matuidi's shirt.
Pjanic stepped up to fired beyond Etrit Berisha, and give Juventus the chance to become the first European team to win a major domestic cup four times in a row since Athletic Bilbao in the 1930s.
Man of the match - Leonardo Spinazzola
The winger, who is on loan from Juventus, was in fine form defensively and in possession.
He created chances in either half and, with the 3-5-2 formation giving him extra defensive responsibility, largely kept Costa and Lichsteiner quiet.
What's next?
Juventus travel to third-placed Lazio on Saturday with victory very much in their minds as they attempt to bridge the four-point gap to leaders Napoli. Atalanta have six points to make up on Sampdoria if they are to qualify for Europe, and can begin that on Sunday when they host their league rivals.
The final of the Coppa Italia, against AC Milan or Lazio, will be held on May 9.
