Atalanta delivered a stunning 3-0 defeat to Juventus in the Coppa Italia, showcasing clinical finishing and a formidable home performance.
Atalanta stunned Juventus with a dominant 3-0 victory in the Coppa Italia clash at New Balance Arena. Gianluca Scamacca, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Mario Pasalic each found the net, securing a memorable triumph for the home side.
This highly anticipated Coppa Italia encounter saw Juventus arrive keen to assert their authority. Atalanta, playing on home turf, sought to continue their strong cup form and challenge a traditional powerhouse. Both teams were aware of the high stakes in this knockout competition.
The opening exchanges were cagey, with both sides probing for an advantage. Juventus held more possession early on but struggled to break down Atalanta's organized defence. The home team looked sharp on the counter-attack, building pressure steadily.
Atalanta's persistence paid off in the 27th minute. A penalty was awarded, and Gianluca Scamacca stepped up to confidently convert, sending the home crowd into raptures. This crucial goal shifted the momentum firmly in Atalanta's favor.
Following the opener, Atalanta defended resolutely while maintaining an offensive threat. Juventus pushed for an equalizer, but their efforts lacked cutting edge as they went into the break trailing by a single goal. Goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi handled their limited threats well.
At the interval, Juventus faced a significant challenge, needing to find a breakthrough to stay in the competition. Atalanta, meanwhile, looked comfortable holding their lead, aiming to build on their first-half performance. Tactical adjustments were expected from both benches.
The second half began with Juventus showing more urgency, but Atalanta remained disciplined. Substitutions began around the 64th minute as both managers sought to inject fresh energy. Juventus brought on attacking options to press for a goal.
Atalanta effectively killed off the contest in the 77th minute. Substitute Kamaldeen Sulemana, arriving with pace, drilled home a crucial second goal after a precise pass from Raoul Bellanova. This extended Atalanta's lead to a comfortable 2-0.
Just eight minutes later, Atalanta struck again to seal their emphatic win. Mario Pasalic, another impactful substitute, slotted home the third goal in the 85th minute, assisted by Nikola Krstovic. This late surge left Juventus with no chance of recovery.
The final minutes saw Atalanta manage the game expertly, celebrating each pass and tackle. Juventus looked dejected, unable to mount any meaningful response. The home fans roared their approval for a superb team performance.
Despite Juventus holding 58% of possession, Atalanta proved far more clinical, converting four shots on target into three goals. Atalanta finished with eight total shots, compared to Juventus’s 13, but goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi saved both of Juventus’s shots on target. The expected goals (xG) figures, which stood at 0 for both sides, did not fully capture the narrative of Atalanta's decisive finishing.
This 3-0 victory represents a significant statement from Atalanta in the Coppa Italia, advancing them confidently in the tournament. Juventus will need to regroup quickly after a disappointing night at the New Balance Arena.
