Mapei Stadium.
Juventus have already won one trophy this season at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia. At the end of January, the back and whites outplayed Napoli in the UEFA Super Cup match. At that time, nothing suggested that Juve would fail in the Champions League, leaving the competition in the 1/8 finals, while in the Championship within a tour to the end would be 5th. The Italian Cup is an opportunity for Turiners to sweeten the pill a bit. A minor, but still a consolation. Their rivals, however, are Atalanta.
Atalanta without a title since 1963
Atalanta under Gian Piero Gasperini have been quite successful lately. Two Champions League playoff qualifications and two national championship bronze medals. Still, what Atalanta lacks is trophies. Their most realistic chance to win was back in 2019, when Atalanta failed to outplay Lazio in the Italian Cup final. Thus, the club's last title so far still dates back to the mid-60s - the 1963 National Cup, for example (we won't take into account now the first places in Serie B).
Last Saturday was a great day for Atalanta- by defeating Genoa 4-3, Gasperini´s team secured their place in the top-four in the league standings, and will thus play in the Champions League for the 3rd time in a row. A phenomenal result! Overall, Atalanta approach the match against Juventus with a streak of 10 meetings without a loss - 8 wins, including a minimum home win against Juve, and 2 draws. The last time Atalanta lost to Real Madrid was in an away game (1-3) in mid-March in a Champions League 1/8 final match.
Juventus are coming off a vital win, but some questions remain unanswered
If Atalanta secured their place in the top-four on Saturday, Juventus just managed to keep their chances of qualifying to the Champions League alive. The black and whites struggled to outplay Inter on home soil. The first half ended with a 2-1, Ronaldo and Cuadrado's scores were responded with penalties from Romelu Lukaku. In the second half, Juve were almost immediately left short-handed when Bentancur received his second yellow card. However, Andrea Pirlo's team was doing well until the 83 minute of the match when Giorgio Chiellini headed the ball into his own net. Juan Cuadrado saved the match. After missing a goal, he earned a penalty-kick and performed it himself by scoring a double 3-2.
Juventus are still fifth in Serie A, but they are only one point behind top-four - Napoli and Milan. Napoli play their last matchday with Verona, while Milan will face Atalanta. However, Atalanta are unlikely to want to give up the best place in the history of the club. So, in the case of victory in Bologna, where Juve will close the championship, the black and whites have a good chance to climb up into the top four. And just like that, the Cup final is secondary for Juventus. Not qualifying for the Champions League would be such a disaster that Wednesday's loss to Atalanta is barely a match.
Expert Betting Tips
Frankly speaking, Juventus have no time for the Cup final right now. The key match for the black and whites will take place in Bologna next Sunday. So, Atalanta has a great chance to win the first title since ancient times. As in their recent championship matches, Atalanta will certainly play as carefully as possible, will be waiting for their chance, and will get it if not during the regular time, then in extra time for sure. Prediction: Atalanta will win the Cup.
Betting Options:
- Atalanta to win at odds 1.80;
- Atalanta to win H (0) at odds 1.90;
- Atalanta will not lose and TU 3.5 at odds 1.90.
Other predictions
