Juve Grab Late Winner In Coppa Italia Semi-Final

Juventus took a slight advantage in their Coppa Italia semi-final tie after netting a late winner against Fiorentina in the first leg on Wednesday night.

A make-shift Juventus were without Paulo Dybala, Federico Chiesa, Federico Bernardeschi, Denis Zakaraia, Alex Sandro and Giorigio Chiellini to mention a few.

It was the host who showed the early promise after six minutes when Riccardo Saponara collected a ball on the edge of the box from Gaetano Castrovlli to force a save of Mattia Perrin.

 

Gigliati remained on the prowl towards the midway point of the first half, as a teasing attempt from Saponara entered Giacomo Bonaventura and he took charge to work Perrin. There was no joy in the final from Juventus before halftime, with the host continuing to see openings through a first-time strike on the edge of the area by Lucas Torreira from Saponara’s pass.

There were activity from either bench at the resumption, as Juve introduced Juan Cuadrado for Marley Ake while the hosts introduced Lorenzo Venuti for Alvaro Odriozola.

Although, there was just no letting up from the Viola as Jonathan Ikone clattered the upright with two minutes gone after he sustained a challenge from Matthijs De Ligt in the area.

Juventus began to come forth and launched an attack over ten minutes in the second half when Dusan Vlahovic got in from a tight angle and produced a flying save from their opposite number.

Massimiliano Allegri’s charges were on the back-foot again midway following the second period and saw Bonaventura break through the middle to get a shot away albeit half-heartedly.

Juve began to see a lot of play inside the latter minutes and snatched the winner at the death after a shot from Cuadrado deflected off Venuti and into the net to give the visitors victory.