Allegri pushes Matri button to secure 10th Coppa Italia for Juventus

Date: 21st May 2015 at 10:00am
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As Juventus came from behind to secure a historic 10th Coppa Italia title, Alessandro Matri was the unlikely hero after his extra-time winner against a determined Lazio.

Coppa Italia Juventus Lazio

With a total of 220 goals scored over the 78 previous matches played in the build-up to the 2014-15 Coppa Italia final, supporters throughout the peninsula have been entertained with an average of 2.8 goals per game.

After enjoying Mameli’s Hymn performed by Chiara, the 2012 winner of the Italian version of the X Factor, and the spectacle of the pre-match choreographies from both sets of supporters, those in attendance at the Stadio Olimpico witnessed another engrossing encounter on the pitch between Juventus and Lazio.

Radoslav Kirilov (Cremonese), Andrea Mazzarani (Virtus Entella), Gianluca Caprari (Pescara) and Cristian Galano (Bari) may have all found the net even quicker during the second round held back in August.

But Lazio captain Stefan Radu scored the fastest goal in the final since Mauro Zarate in 2009 inside just four minutes before another unlikely scorer in Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini levelled with an acrobatic volley just six-and-a-half minutes later.

Lazio v Juventus Coppa Italia

In spite of the Old Lady having won five of the past six meetings with the Aquile by a margin of two or more goals, the two sides could not be separated until the 97th minute in extra time.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri must have had a premonition as he predicted in his pre-match press conference that the outcome of the 68th edition of the competition would be decided by a substitute.

“It will be an even affair and it could possibly go into extra-time,” Allegri said in his pre-match press conference.

“That’s why it will be important to have players in good shape, including those who will be on the bench.”

While Lazio substitute Filip Djordjevic could have not been more unfortunate when he unleashed a shot from distance that hit the inside of both posts, Alessandro Matri enjoyed a stroke of fortune as his shot squirmed under Etrit Berisha.

Matri - Coppa Italia - Juventus v Lazio

After being reunited with Allegri for a third time following his arrival on the final day of the winter transfer window, the 30-year-old forward has been a back-up to Carlos Tevez, Alvaro Morata and Fernando Llorente.

However, he has proven to be an unlikely hero in helping Juventus become the first side to win the Coppa Italia 10 times.

Matri opened the scoring after he made a surprise first start when Juventus overcame a first leg loss to eliminate Fiorentina in the semi-finals. and he doubled his total in the final with just his fourth shot on goal.

In doing so, he ensured the Bianconeri a first win in the Coppa Italia in seven previous attempts against the Biancocelesti, but more importantly it secured Juventus a first domestic double since 1995 and a potential treble.

With seven goals and five assists in the first-half of the season at Genoa before returning to Turin on loan, the Lombard native is continuing to rebuild his reputation following his much maligned €11 million move to AC Milan and subsequent loan at Fiorentina last season.

Matri may not be as influential as he was in his first spell with Juventus, but he is content with his role as a substitute in a squad that continues to improve under Allegri.

Massimiliano Allegri Juventus Coppa Italia

“Obviously there is also great personal joy for scoring the decisive goal,” Matri told Rai Sport after the match.

“The characteristics of this team is that everyone has to be ready, even if they play five or 10 minutes.

“The coach knows how to press the right buttons and the motivation comes by itself.”

Attention has now turned to the Champions League final against Barcelona on June 6, and Matri is dreaming of another crucial cup goal.

“Could I score in the Champions League final? Maybe I could do something, but I don’t want to say too much and jinx it.”

Alessandro Matri Juventus
 

 

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