Juventus is lucky to still be able to secure a ticket to qualify for the 2023/2024 Coppa Italia final. Even though they lost to Lazio, Juve still escaped with a 3-2 aggregate.
Tuesday (23/2/2024), Juve visited Lazio at the Olimpico in the second leg of the 2023/2024 Coppa Italia semi-final. In the first leg, Juve won 2-0 at home, valuable capital to play away
Even so, this time Lazio played very well in front of their own supporters. Lazio had a two-goal lead through Valentin Castellanos’ brace (12′, 48′). The aggregate was even at 2-2.
Massimiliano Allegri then made a number of changes in the middle of the second half. Juve got up and tried to put pressure on the hosts.
As a result, Arkadiusz Milik scored the decisive goal in the 83rd minute. The score changed to 2-1. Juventus still lost, but had the right to qualify for the final with a 3-2 aggregate. A bitter result for Lazio.
Massimiliano Allegri admitted that he was not satisfied with Juventus’ performance against Lazio and he also said that his team suffered a lot in that match.
After the match, Allegri said that it would not be easy for his troops to overcome Lazio’s resistance in this match. He highlighted that conceding a quick goal in each half could destroy Juventus’ mentality.
“It was a game full of suffering, we knew it would be, especially after conceding a goal straight from a set piece,” said Allegri.
“We had a few chances through Vlahovic and Bremer, and were at risk of conceding at the end of the first half, but then we recovered physically and had a good second half.
“It wasn’t easy, because they fell behind so quickly at the start of the second half on a counter-attack, the players’ mentality could have been destroyed.”
Allegri looked very angry when the final whistle sounded and was already in the dressing room hallway before the referee ended the match.
“We know very well that our elimination tonight will have an impact on our psychology ahead of the match against AC Milan on Saturday,” continued Allegri.
“Let’s not beat around the bush, the pressure at Juventus is huge and this is a test for the players.
“They stayed in the game, improved throughout the second half and we made mistakes, but also created favorable situations.
“Over two legs, although Lazio played very well tonight, I think we deserved to reach the final.”
The result of defeat and victory in this match takes Juventus to the Coppa Italia Final against Atalanta or Fiorentina on May 15, while also ensuring they will appear in the Supercoppa Italiana tournament next season.
“It’s never easy to reach the final, in the last three years we have played two Coppa Italia finals. Now we have to concentrate on Serie A, because we have not yet reached Champions League qualification.
“This final is also worth qualifying for the Supercoppa Italiana, so it is financially important for the club. Criticism will always be around Juventus,” concluded Allegri.
