HomeFootballNapoli upset Juventus in Coppa Italia final

Napoli upset Juventus in Coppa Italia final

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Arkadiusz Milik scored the winning spot-kick after Paulo Dybala and Danilo missed the goal in the first two attempts of Juventus, while Napoli converted all of their attempts to give the fiery coach Gennaro Gattuso the first major trophy of his coaching career. 

With Insigne, Matteo Politano and Maksimovic all scoring, it left Milik to seal the success, which he did with a coolly-taken effort into the bottom corner.

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Gianluigi Buffon prevents Napoli with double save

Napoli nearly won it in stoppage time but were foiled by a superb double save by Juventus’s 42-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who made a series of difficult saves throughout the game. 

“Gigi (Buffon) is still the No. 1. He proved that tonight with three or four huge saves,” said Alex Meret, Napoli goalkeeper. 

“It’s an honour for me to play against someone who was and is still my idol, so that makes it all the more special,” he added.

On the other side, It was a remarkable achievement for 42-year-old Gattuso, who took over Napoli in December with the team in disarray after the players had rebelled against a week-long training camp imposed on them by De Laurentiis. 

“Football has given me so much and that is why I have so much passion for it,” Gattuso said. “It’s something I can’t let go of, not even for a second.” 

“Those of who have this job must have respect for it because we’re lucky. I want to see people who put passion into it, I want a sense of belonging and respect,” he added.

Frustrating night for Ronaldo

Napoli won the match before Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo had a chance to get to the penalty spot. Ronaldo struggled with regaining his acceleration ability after three months of no game.

Ronaldo appeared to be disappointed after the game.

“He was a little sad at the result,” explained teammate Juan Cuadrado. “It’s always a lottery when it goes to penalties.”

Juventus controlled most of the possession but Napoli had the better chances in the shootout.

The title provides Napoli with direct entry into next season’s Europa League group phase. Though they still have to play the second leg of this season’s Champions League round of 16 against Barcelona.

It’s the second trophy that Juventus has missed out on this season after losing to Lazio in the Italian Super Cup in December, And the treble hopes also dissolves for the Serie A leaders.

But Juventus seems the favourite for a record-extending ninth straight Serie A title with a one-point lead over Lazio, and is also still in the Champions League. The Serie A will soon resume on June 20.

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