Federico Chiesa’s Juventus won the semi-final first leg of the Italian Cup against Lazio. © ANSA / ALESSANDRO DI MARCO
On Tuesday, Juventus and Lazio dueled in the semi-final first leg of the Italian Cup. The two teams had already met at the weekend. While Lazio was the lucky winner there, this time the Old Lady was celebrating.
02. April 2024
From: mv
The two teams met on Holy Saturday. At that time, Lazio narrowly won 1-0. Juventus was looking for revenge on Tuesday. The Bianconeri managed to do this, they retained the upper hand 2-0 and now have one foot in the final of the Coppa Italia.
The game started quietly, with both teams busy feeling each other out. But the home team went into the duels more aggressively and harder. Zaccagni in particular was really worked over by the Juventus players. The first excitement came in the 11th minute: Vecino wanted to knock the ball away, but with full swing he hit Cambiaso, who was coming from behind. Although the referee originally awarded a penalty, he reversed this decision after the video evidence. The reason? Cambiaso was offside.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri often gesticulated wildly in the first half. © ANSA / ALESSANDRO DI MARCO
Afterwards, the game dragged on for a long time and there were few chances to score. The visitors had the best chance in the first half, but Luis Alberto hit the crossbar with his head (39′). On the other side, Adrien Rabiot tried a long-range shot, but it was far too central (44′). But nothing more happened in the first half. The logical consequence was whistles from the home fans from the stands for their team.
Double strike from Juventus
Immediately after the restart, Massimiliano Allegri’s men appeared fresher, more alert and more concentrated and were immediately rewarded with the opening goal: Cambiaso sent Chiesa on his way, who stayed cool alone in front of Lazio keeper Mandas and made it 1-0 (50th).
Federico Chiesa (left) gave Juventus a 1-0 lead. © ANSA / ALESSANDRO DI MARCO
Almost a quarter of an hour later the old lady followed up. McKennie fed Vlahovic, who first dizzyed Romagnoli and then finished with his left foot into the far corner to make it 2-0 (64′). The Allianz Stadium shook, the fans were thrilled and the players on the pitch were overjoyed and relieved.
Very little came from Lazio afterwards. Neo coach Igor Tudor’s team seemed tired and sluggish. Instead, Juventus almost scored their third goal through Vlahovic. In the end it remained 2-0 for the Turin team, which puts them in a good starting position for the second leg. This will take place on April 23rd at 9 p.m. in the Olympic Stadium in Rome.
Coppa Italia, semi-final first legs
Juventus – Lazio ?:?
Tore: 1:0 Chiesa (50.), 2:0 Vlahovic (64.)
The second leg will take place on April 23rd at 9 p.m.
Wednesday, 9 p.m.:
Fiorentina – Atalanta (second leg on April 24th at 9 p.m.)