Juventus' Fighting Spirit on Show in Coppa Italia Victory over Lazio

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri was a man on a mission this week. As he prepared his squad for a trip to Rome, the coach could not have been clearer in his analysis of the looming quarter-final match against Lazio.

"Our aim is to get through to the next round because the Coppa Italia is one of the trophies we want to lift this season,” he told reporters at the traditional pre-match press conference. As the game got under way at the Stadio Olimpico, it was evident the players echoed that sentiment.

The clash—a rematch of May’s final in the same competition—quickly descended into a war of attrition: 90 tough minutes littered with emotional outbursts from both sides. Despite having lost that aforementioned showpiece event, as well as both the Supercoppa Italiana and a Serie A encounter with the Bianconeri since, Lazio were in no mood to be swept aside here.

Indeed, having been outscored six goals to one over those last three meetings, Stefano Pioli’s men were far more resolute this time around and stood toe-to-toe with the Turin giants in a game constantly interrupted by niggly fouls and complaints to the official.

"

What a miss by Zaza. https://t.co/ZBAW3AfiuY

— Khaled Al Nouss (@KhaledAlNouss) January 20, 2016"

Lazio’s Keita Balde Diao had the first real chance after 12 minutes, bursting past Martin Caceres on the left only to fire over from a narrow angle. Paul Pogba and Simone Zaza wasted good chances for the visitors, the latter missing arguably the best opportunity as he somehow hit the side netting with an open goal waiting.

The striker would make amends shortly after, however, his powerful effort in the 66th minute rebounding to Stephan Lichtsteiner after crashing into the post. The defender—himself a former Lazio player—would make no mistake, goal-line technology proving his shot had indeed beaten ‘keeper Etrit Berisha.

Stefano Sturaro, Zaza and Mario Mandzukic all subsequently had chances to seal the tie with a second goal, but Juventus were forced to endure a nervous last few minutes before they could secure the victory.

While the Biancocelesti may perhaps consider themselves unlucky, the game arguably proved two important things about their opponents. Firstly, the depth of talent available to Mister Allegri is superb; the coach was able to make six changes from the side that beat Udinese last weekend but insistent he was not resting anyone.

“I compliment the lads, as this was in no way an easy match,” he told RAI Sport (h/t Football Italia) shortly after the final whistle. “I don’t like the term ‘squad rotation,’ as I have a very competitive team and it is always difficult to leave players out.”

Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images

Whether that is true or not, beating such opposition despite leaving out the likes of Gigi Buffon, Sami Khedira and Paulo Dybala bodes well for the future, as does the fact they were able to grind out a result in such a hostile environment.

“It was a tough, physical game,” Leonardo Bonucci told reporters as he left the field—per the club’s official website—before going on to praise the spirit displayed by his team-mates. “Juventus play to win every game. We fight for each other and for every ball on the field and we owe to it ourselves to chase every title this season.”

Sealing a victory without playing at their best is a major bonus, especially for a team looking to defend the domestic double they won last term, and their current winning run is beginning to make a repeat look increasingly possible.

Aside from this cup win, the Bianconeri have taken all three points in their last 10 league games and will hope to continue that streak when they welcome AS Roma to Juventus Stadium on Sunday.