There was a time when it was called a “cup”. Today this is no longer the case. The Italian Cup has long been a trophy of enormous importance and prestige. Juventus knows this well and hopes to win it to save a season that started off great but is ending badly. Atalanta, on the other hand, craves the second trophy in their history (they won the 1962/63 Italian Cup) and, above all, the first joy in the Gasperini era. Here, this Italian Cup final has two absolute protagonists: Allegri and Gasperini. Each of the two has very valid reasons to lift the trophy on Wednesday evening at the Olimpico in Rome.
Let’s start with Allegri. Now his second adventure in black and white is at the end of the line. Barring unforeseen circumstances, he will say goodbye to the Old Lady at the end of the season. Clearly, he wouldn’t mind leaving with one more trophy in his cabinet (he would rise to 12 as Juventus coach). Also because, by winning the final against the Goddess, he would reach five Italian Cup wins, becoming the most successful coach in history in this event (he currently shares the record with Mancini and Eriksson). Furthermore, Allegri is particularly keen to silence those who want him boiled. A trophy would still make his season successful. To confirm, ask all those companies that are already certain of the classic “zero titles” so dear to Mourinho.
On the other hand, however, there is a Gasperini who plays the first of the two match points of this extraordinary season. In Bergamo they keep repeating that winning a trophy wouldn’t change anything. It’s not really like that. Gasperini is already a giant but winning a cup would establish him forever. At 66 years of age, he has practically zero palmares (he won a Serie B championship with Pescara). Raising the Italian Cup to the sky would be a fitting applause for an excellent career. Without forgetting that there will also be the Europa League final…
In short, a very intriguing final is being staged at the Olimpico. Juventus seems to be in crisis but it is still Juventus. Atalanta are better but are not used to similar pressures and stages. As always, making a prediction is impossible. One fact is certain. As things stand, those who have the most to lose are Juventus. Should the Italian Cup also fail, it is clear that the season would almost become a failure. The “almost” is a must for qualification for the next Champions League so, paradoxically, the Bianconeri also have to thank Atalanta who, with their great European journey, made a big contribution to the achievement of fifth place in the Champions League . A fifth place which, considering Juventus’ shaky path, is a real godsend for many, including Juventus.