Atalanta 0-2 Lazio
It was cruel but ultimately it was crucial.
There was to be no Coppa Italia dream for the underdogs as Lazio, eventually, took full advantage of home field to save their season and lift the trophy for the second time in seven years.
Two goals in the final eight minutes from substitute Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Joaquin Correa sparked home celebrations in the capital and ensured Lazio would not be beaten by the Bergamo Boys for the third time this season.
A cup final to savour but, for SBOBET neutrals, perhaps not the result they wanted.
Highlights of the game
Milinkovic-Savic had only been on the pitch three minutes when he produced one of the top Coppa Italia 2019 highlights.
A Lucas Leiva corner was delivered into the danger zone, and the highly touted Serbian international, who has been out injured for the past month, powered a header into the top corner to leave goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini with no chance.
The scenes which followed showed how much it meant to him and the club.
It was so nearly two as a shocked Atalanta struggled to pick themselves up. Gollini’s quick-thinking denied Correa moments later.
However, the Lazio forward wasn’t to be denied as he sealed victory in the final minute.
A hopeful long clearance from Felipe Caicedo saw Correa show lightning pace, skip past Remo Freuler and Gollini before firing home, despite a valiant effort to clear the ball off the line.
It was a fine solo run and a fitting goal to put the seal on Lazio’s seventh Italian Cup triumph, which will see them back in the Europa League next season.
Pre-match, the Coppa Italia 2019 betting odds had favoured Lazio, Super Coppa winners at the start of last season, despite being beaten by Atalanta just 10 days ago in the league – the Orobici fighting back from an early setback to win 3-1.
The closest the game came to a goal in the first half arrived midway through.
Marten de Roon, once of Middlesbrough, saw his half-volley bounce off the upright before another attempt was charged down. Eventually, Duvan Zapata — who has a good scoring record against Lazio — nodded off target from six yards.
De Roon’s shot had actually taken a deflection off the hand of Bastos, but VAR considered it too close range to be considered worthy of a penalty.
Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi actually became concerned at Bastos, already on a yellow card, and took him off 10 minutes before the break for Stefan Radu, who had been tipped to start.
Into the second period, Lazio keeper Thomas Strakosha parried a Timothy Castagne snapshot and then smothered at Zapata’s feet after a cheeky Josip Ilicic back-heel flick.
An impressive sliding tackle from Jose Luis Palomino stopped Correa as he threatened to burst clear before Papu Gomez clipped the post from the tightest of angles as play swung one way to the other.
Then came the quick-fire double to seal the silverware.
Gomez hit the woodwork again in stoppage time, but by then, the damage was done to the crestfallen minnows.
Spirited Atalanta were beaten, Lazio were buoyant.
Key statistics
This was the first time in five years someone other than champions Juventus have won the Italian Cup.
This was Lazio’s seventh Coppa Italia success, taking them level with Inter Milan and joint-third in the overall list, behind Juventus and Roma.
Milinkovic-Savic has scored four goals against Atalanta, his best record against an individual team for the Biancocelesti.
This was the 118th meeting between the sides in all competitions (Serie A, Serie B and Italian Cup). Both have 36 wins now, while there have been 46 draws.
Inzaghi won this competition three times as a player, and this was his first triumph as a manager.
What’s next?
Atalanta, who were competing in their first Coppa Italia final since 1996, still sit in the fourth and final Champions League berth in Serie A and remain the division’s top scorers. They need four points from their final two matches to secure the spot.
On the weekend, they travel to champions Juventus, who may already have one eye on their summer holiday but could also be fired up after their 2-0 loss to Roma last weekend. They then finish their campaign at home to Sassuolo.
They are unbeaten in their last 11 league matches.
Lazio, who are now guaranteed European football next season after this victory, host Bologna before travelling to Torino on the final day of the Italian league season.
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