Juve, the Italian Cup is now a goal. And the Church will not operate tomorrow

Never before has the Coppa Italia jumped to the top of Juventus’ seasonal goals as this year. Never under the management of Massimiliano Allegri, who has always put some titles on the bulletin board in his years with Juventus and certainly does not want to interrupt the trend on his return. With the Scudetto faded for some time now, and the Champions League which still remains a difficult dream to pursue, after the defeat in the Super Cup the other national trophy is realistically the only achievable goal. And so the Bianconeri’s journey begins with the utmost ambition. In the meantime, from the field to a quick look at the infirmary: Federico Chiesa will not have an operation tomorrow. He has a few lines of fever and is waiting for him to heal, the swab has given a negative result for the moment.

Previous

–

The mission to save the season starts from the round of 16 against Sampdoria, it is not the first time in the history of the club that we find ourselves having to cling to this competition in order not to end the year empty-handed. If the Coppa Italia often came in parallel with the Scudetto (out of fourteen times six, of which five with Allegri on the bench), in some cases it was really the only satisfaction. Starting from 1978-79, when Bettega, Virdis and the veterans from Argentina ’78 overtook Palermo in the final in extra time after the disappointing third place in the league. Following this, in the 1982-83 season, Verona was beaten at the last minute of extra time, thus remedying the disappointment of the minus four in the standings over Roma. And then the famous 1989-90 season, with the Juve of Schillaci, Zavarov and Rui Barros who won the trophy by beating Milan after closing Serie A in fourth place, but that team also managed to establish itself in the Uefa Cup.

Atalanta risk

–

This year’s course begins with a rather simple race on paper. Sampdoria is experiencing a moment of transition between D’Aversa’s sacking and the arrival of Giampaolo who, however, will not be on the bench. Allegri, disqualified, will be replaced as in Rome by Landucci: Juve will have to manage above all the emergency in defense, due to the disqualification of De Ligt, the injury of Bonucci (who will return after the break) and the availability of Chiellini in half service. It will be up to Rugani to work overtime, for the fifth consecutive game in two weeks. And next to him there will be space for the young De Winter, a staple of the Under 23 team but aggregated to the first team on a permanent basis since Danilo stopped. Dry match: whoever passes will meet the winner between Cagliari and Sassuolo in the quarters; to follow the risk Atalanta (who will face Fiorentina) in the semifinals: the last time Allegri, in the 2018-19 season, finished the race in the quarterfinals against the Goddess.