Coppa Italia Final 2016: Score, Report and Reaction from AC Milan vs. Juventus
Juventus won the 2016 Coppa Italia with a 1-0 extra-time victory over AC Milan on Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico.
Alvaro Morata scored the winning goal with 10 minutes to play in the second half of additional time, sweeping in a superb half-volley two minutes after replacing Hernanes.
The narrow triumph has secured Juve's place in history as the first side in Italian football to win a domestic league and cup double in consecutive seasons, and they have now won the trophy on 11 occasions.
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AC Milan began the better of the two sides in Rome, with some impressive energy, strong running and pressure from Cristian Brocchi's men.
Juraj Kucka started brightly in the Rossoneri midfield, bringing the ball up the pitch regularly and combining well with Giacomo Bonaventura. Juve were on the back foot in the opening stages of the contest, perhaps due to their weakened starting line-up, with head coach Massimiliano Allegri leaving Gianluigi Buffon, Alvaro Morata and Juan Cuadrado on the bench for the final.
Nineteen-year-old winger Davide Calabria darted down the right flank and did superbly well to pick out Bonaventura at the back post after 15 minutes. However, the former Atalanta midfielder controlled well but could only strike his shot wide of goal.
The Old Lady of Italian football were unable to make their presence felt on the contest and were under pressure again soon after through Mattia De Sciglio. The Italian international cut inside before striking a powerful effort that skimmed the top of the crossbar. Bonaventura then tested stand-in stopper Neto with a low shot that the Brazilian did well to turn away from goal.
Former Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra provided Juve with their best chance of the match on the 30-minute mark, driving an effort on goal that was deflected into the side netting. That move appeared to spring life into Allegri's men, as they began to play with increased confidence and intent in their opposition's half.
Paulo Dybala showed his ambition with a fine run down the right-hand side before feeding Stefan Lichtsteiner down the byline. The Swiss international's low cross found Mario Mandzukic, but the Croat could only bundle his finish, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma flicking his effort to safety.
Juve's impressive late showing in the first 45 minutes continued following the half-time interval. Paul Pogba—who was restrained during the opening half—tested Donnarumma with a pair of free-kicks, but neither was close enough to the target to truly test the youngster between the sticks.
With 20 minutes to play, the 17-year-old sensation denied the French playmaker once more, with his low, stabbed effort towards the bottom corner well turned away with a strong palm.
Extra time appeared inevitable as the clock began to tick down in the Italian capital, with Juve turning to desperation in a bid to seal victory in normal time. Ex-Manchester United playmaker Pogba struck a fizzing effort from 30 yards out that flew off target before Mario Lemina and Dybala struck similar wayward efforts soon after.
The quality of the contest reduced in extra time, as neither side was able to create significant chances on goal, with both sets of players tiring late on in the match.
However, with 10 minutes remaining in the second period of additional time, Morata unleashed a moment of brilliance to net the winner. Arriving on the scene just two minutes earlier in place of Brazilian midfielder Hernanes, the former Real Madrid striker produced a sublime half-volley to finally beat Donnarumma.
Cuadrado's scooped effort towards the back post was perfectly met by the Spaniard, whose controlled finish secured an unprecedented second successive league and cup double for Juventus.
Post-Match Reaction
Match winner Morata was delighted to help the Turin giants secure their place in history with a famous win over their Serie A rivals but refused to be drawn on whether he would remain at the club with transfer rumours speculating a possible move away.
Per Football-Italia, the Spanish forward was coy when asked by Rai Sport about next year's plans.
"I am very happy for this match, a season and another trophy for Juve. Yesterday my friends said I’d come off the bench and score, so they were right.
Today was a good day. My father and friends are in the stands. Since I met my girlfriend, I’ve been a different player on the pitch too.
We have to compliment Milan, as they put in a fine performance and made it really difficult for us, but it’s the result that counts.
"
He added: "It’s not my last game of the season, as I have to play in the Euros. I have to make the most of my current form and not even think about the future."
Meanwhile, AC Milan midfielder Riccardo Montolivo believes his side deserved to win their first trophy since their 2010-11 Scudetto.
Per Football-Italia, the former Fiorentina playmaker told Rai Sport that Juve's clinical finishing proved decisive.
"It’s disappointing, as if it was a boxing match we’d have won on points. Unfortunately you need that final moment to finish chances off and we lacked that today, whereas Juve were clinical.If we had played this way throughout the season, it would’ve been a very different campaign. Now we have to put a line under it and evaluate where to go next. I think the team gave everything it had."
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