Weston McKennie and Tim Weah lifted the Coppa Italia on Wednesday as Juventus topped Atalanta 1-0 in the final.
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McKennie and Weah win trophyJuve win 1-0Vlahovic provides game-winnerGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Juventus seized the lead early on a goal from Dusan Vlahovic, and that strike proved to be all the Old Lady would need to get their hands on the trophy. Played through by Andrea Cambiasso, the Serbian picked his spot despite battling a defender, scoring an opening goal just four minutes in to ease nerves almost immediately in this cup final.
Atalanta had their chances, though, with Ademola Lookman hitting the bar later on in the second half. Juve, too, had opportunities to put it away. Vlahovic seemingly did so with a 73rd-minute goal before VAR determined he was offside by a millimeter in the buildup, leading to the goal being called back.
Despite that setback, the Bianconeri had done enough to earn the win and the cup with a narrow 1-0 triumph.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The Coppa Italia was, realistically, Juve's only legitimate chance at a trophy. The Old Lady didn't qualify for European soccer and Serie A proved a cakewalk for Scudetto winners Inter, leaving the cup as the only trophy left for Juve to play for in the final season.
Whether a cup win and a return to Europe make this season a success will be debated going forward, but ending the season with a trophy is certainly a big lift for Juve. The cup is the club's 15th, which gives Juve six more than any other club as both Roma and Inter Milan are tied for second with nine trophies each.
GettyUSMNT IMPACT
The trophy is McKennie's third with Juve, having previously lifted the Coppa Italia in 2020-21 as well as the Supercoppa Italiana in 2020.
McKennie provided the hockey assist on Vlahovic's crucial winner, although it must be said the credit should go to Andrea Cambiasso for the ensuing through ball. Overall, McKennie had a relatively quiet game outside of that moment as he never really contributed anything else on the attacking side of the ball.
Weah, meanwhile, came on as a late substitute with Juventus seeing off the game. The cup is the seventh club trophy of his career, having won three at PSG, two at Celtic and two during his time at Lille.
GettyGOAL'S RATINGS
Weston McKennie (6/10):
Helped setup the opening goal, but was relatively quiet other than that. Still, Juve did what they had to do to win the game, with McKennie going a full 90 as his side nursed a narrow lead.
Tim Weah (6/10):
Came on late to provide fresh legs. Didn't really get much of the ball, but that wasn't the concern at that point.
