Much is at stake for both clubs in the Coppa Italia Final. Juventus and Milan will meet for the third time this season to determine which team will go home with an important piece of silverware.
Juve will be in search of a second consecutive domestic double after winning both Serie A and the Coppa last season. Milan, coming off a disappointing seventh-place finish, will look to claim the team’s first Coppa Italia since the 2011-2012 season. A win would also qualify the Milanese giants for next season’s Europa League. Should the Old Lady triumph, Sassuolo will head to the European competition in the Rossoneri’s place.
Previous meetings
In both of the team’s previous meetings this season, league champions Juventus came away victorious. The Bianconeri grabbed a 1-0 victory in early November thanks to a 65th-minute goal from forward Paulo Dybala. Juve also came back from a goal down to claim a 2-1 away win in the first week of April. Alex scored an early goal for Milan, but strikes from Mario Mandzukic and Paul Pogba sealed the win for Max Allegri’s squad.
Road to the final
Of the two teams, Milan had a more difficult road to the final if only because they played two more rounds. Juve went right into the round of 16, and as such, didn’t have to play in the third and fourth round. The Rossoneri earned wins over Perugia, Crotone, Sampdoria, Carpi and Alessandria to make the final.
On the other side, the Bianconeri defeated Torino, Lazio and Inter Milan to make it to Rome. Juve did receive at a bit of a scare against Inter. The Old Lady won 3-0 in the first leg at home, but were beaten 3-0 by the Nerazzurri in Milan. Juventus only advanced after beating Inter on penalties.
Impact performers this season
If Juventus or Milan want to win in Rome, it could come down to the team’s best performers this season. For the Bianconeri, two of the team’s best players this season have been young stars Dybala and Pogba.
Dybala, the 22-year-old Argentine forward, has bagged a team-leading 19 domestic goals. The former Palermo star is also second on the team with nine assists in Serie A play. Leading the team in domestic assists in domestic play is Pogba, who has set up 12 assists. The French midfielder tied with Roma’s Miralem Pjanic for the lead in assists in league play this season, and also chipped in with eight goals.
For the Rossoneri, Giacomo Bonaventura may be the key to victory. The versatile midfielder has played all over the pitch for Milan. He leads the team with eight assists, and is second only to Carlos Bacca in goals scored.