Juve take on Lazio in Cup final
FOLIGNO: Massimiliano Allegri has called for treble-chasing Juventus to make amends for failing to secure the Serie A title last weekend, by beating Lazio in the Italian Cup final tonight.
Juventus, who face Real Madrid in the Champions League final on June 3, needed just a point at Roma on Sunday to secure a record sixth consecutive Italian league title.
But a stunning 3-1 reverse has left the increasingly-shaky Turin giants just four points ahead of Roma with two games remaining, adding unwelcome pressure ahead of their bid for a third successive league and Cup double and, in turn, an unprecedented club treble.
“It will serve us well, because we have to get right back on our feet for Wednesday [today] and then again for Crotone,” Allegri said at the Stadio Olimpico, where Lazio will be hoping for a similar result against the champions.
“I’m not worried. It’s one step at a time: now, we’ve the Cup final, then we’ll concentrate on the league and, lastly, the Champions League.”
Juventus will claim an all-time Serie A record of six consecutive titles if they beat relegation-threatened Crotone in Turin on Sunday.
But, after losing shape, composure and ultimately the chance to celebrate securing the scudetto at the home of their arch rivals, the pressure is now on to make sure there is no repeat.
Winning a treble, seven years after Inter Milan achieved the feat under the helm Lazio’s Ciro Immobile reacts after scoring a goal.
of Jose Mourinho in 2010, has been Juve’s ambition all season.
But the pressure is beginning to tell. Juventus have drawn two and lost one of their last three league outings, shipping six goals in the process.
“Lately, we’ve conceded a little more than we usually do in terms of our defence, although over the course of a season these things can happen,” said Juve defender Leonardo Bonucci.
With six Cup wins but their last coming in 2013, Lazio’s record in the competition
pales in comparison. Juventus have won 11.
And though former Juventus striker Ciro Immobile, who has hit 22 league goals for the high-flying capital club, he believes the “perfect match” can put a dent in Juve’s ambitions.
“We know how strong they are so we’re obviously very concentrated on the final. We knew we’ll need the perfect match,” said Immobile.