6 Players Who Could Shape the Coppa Italia Final
Juventus and Lazio square off tonight (kick-off at 7:45 BST) in the Coppa Italia final. It's a match that represents a meeting of Italian football's dominant force versus it's rising contenders.
Although they haven't won the cup since 1995, Juventus have won four consecutive league titles, including this season's, and are on the hunt for a treble with a Champions League final against Barcelona on the not-too-distant horizon.
Lazio, meanwhile, have taken everyone aback by competing for a top-three place in the league this campaign. Currently, they are in the midst of what coach Stefano Pioli has described as "four cup finals," with league fixtures against city rivals Roma and fellow Champions League chasers Napoli to follow the cup final.
Read on to find out which individual players could play key roles in shaping this significant clash of two teams enjoying excellent seasons.
Felipe Anderson
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Felipe Anderson has been in magnificent form for Lazio this year, having broken into the first team last December.
Per WhoScored.com, he has scored ten goals and set up nine in 21 appearances since then, establishing him as one of the top young players in Europe.
Tonight's cup final will be his biggest stage yet. It's unclear how he will be used, with Pioli having played him on the right and left wing, but wherever he lines up, his creativity, pace and eye for the spectacular could prove crucial in taking down Juventus.
Dusan Basta
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Serbian right-back Dusan Basta has been first class this season. His sound defending and attacking raids have made him a core component in Lazio's success.
Juventus tend to line up in a 3-5-2 or 4-3-1-2 formation, making their full-backs their only true sources of genuine width.
Basta's teaming up with Antonio Candreva or Anderson down the right could thus be a real opportunity for Lazio going forward as they double up on Juve left-back Patrice Evra.
Stefan de Vrij
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Stefan de Vrij has settled immaculately into the heart of Lazio's defence this campaign, playing a big part in ensuring the Biancoceleste have the third-best defence in Serie A.
The Dutchman returned from injury recently and will have a difficult task in handling Juventus' Argentine live wire, Carlos Tevez.
Juventus are without the suspended Alvaro Morata for tonight's match, so Tevez will be partnered by the out-of-form Fernando Llorente. If De Vrij can quieten Tevez, Lazio's chances of victory will be enhanced.
Andrea Pirlo
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It's hard to fathom considering all he's achieved throughout his career, but should he start tonight, Andrea Pirlo will play in his first ever Coppa Italia final.
Furthermore, it's even harder to imagine that he won't have something to do with the end result. His range of passing is unrivalled, and he often sets the tempo for Juventus.
Pirlo will be well protected by those in front of him tonight, especially if Juventus line up in a 4-3-1-2, meaning he should get time on the ball to dictate the rhythm and, potentially, the match itself.
Paul Pogba
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Having only returned from injury against Cagliari on 9 May, Paul Pogba would start for Juventus in their critical Champions League semi-final away leg against Real Madrid a matter of days later.
The Frenchman has continued to establish himself as arguably the best young player in world football with his displays this season, and his ability to conjure goalscoring opportunities is something no one else in the Juventus midfield can do.
Pogba will also have an important defensive job to do tonight, as it is likely that he will be up against Marco Parolo in midfield while also having to help out Evra down the left flank.
Marco Storari
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Gianluigi Buffon has sat on the bench throughout Juventus' cup run, and it appears likely he will do so again in the final, making way for Marco Storari to start.
Storari is nowhere near as good a goalkeeper as Buffon—his reflexes and shot-stopping just don't compare. That doesn't make him a bad keeper, however.
The cup final, while not as important as the Champions League final or the league campaign, will still dictate whether Juventus get their hands on an illustrious treble, which only puts more pressure on the 38-year-old to perform.
