Treble-Chasing Juve Need Focus for Lazio Cup Final
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DAILY NATION | Wednesday May 17, 2017 Sports | 67 Italian Cup > Champions League finalists eye first of possible three titles tonight Treble-chasing Juve need focus for Lazio Cup final Coach Allegri says loss to Roma was a good wake up call ahead of big finals Foligno assimiliano Allegri has called for treble-chas- Ming Juventus to make amends for failing to secure the Serie A title last weekend, by beating Lazio in the Italian Cup final tonight. Juventus, who face Real Ma- drid in the Champions League final on June 3, needed just a point at Roma on Sunday to secure a record sixth consecu- tive Italian league title. But a stunning 3-1 reverse has left the increasingly-shaky Turin giants just four points ahead of Roma with two games remain- ing, adding unwelcome pressure ahead of their bid for a third suc- cessive league and Cup double and, in turn, an unprecedented club treble. “It will serve us well, because we have to get right back on our feet for Wednesday and then again for Crotone,” Allegri said AFP | OSSERVATORE ROMANO at the Stadio Olimpico, where Italian Football Federation President Carlo Tavecchio gives an autographed soccer ball to Pope Francis at Lazio will be hoping for a similar the end of the Pope’s audience with Juventus and Lazio players on the eve of tonight’s Italian Cup final. result against the champions. goals in the process. have won 11. Dybala back to his starting line- One step at a time “Lately, we’ve conceded a lit- And though former Juventus up, after the Argentina front man “I’m not worried. On the tle more than we usually do in striker Ciro Immobile, who has came off the bench against contrary, we have to remain terms of our defence, although hit 22 league goals for the high- Roma, but is still sweating focused on our objective and over the course of a season these flying capital club, he belives the on the fitness of hard-work- understand where we went things can happen,” said Juve “perfect match” can put a dent ing Croatian front man Mario wrong so we avoid the same defender Leonardo Bonucci. in Juve’s ambitions. Mandzukic (back). mistake in future. “We should have wrapped up “They (Juventus) are a great In a bid to end Lazio’s “It’s one step at a time: now, the title tonight (Sunday), now side. They’ve reached the four-year wait for silverware, we’ve the Cup final, then we’ll we have to make sure we go and Champions League final,” said coach Simone Inzaghi rested a concentrate on the league win the Cup on Wednesday and Immobile. number of key players, includ- and, lastly, the Champions do the same against Crotone.” “We know how strong they are ing defender Stefan De Vrij League.” With six Cup wins but their so we’re obviously very concen- and striker Sergej Milinkovic- Juventus will claim an all- last coming in 2013, Lazio’s trated on the final. We knew we’ll Savic, for a trip to Fiorentina time Serie A record of six record in the competition need the perfect match.” that ended in a 3-2 defeat last consecutive titles if they beat pales in comparison. Juventus Allegri is set to welcome Paulo Saturday. relegation-threatened Crotone The reverse had no bearing on in Turin next Sunday. But, Blessings Lazio’s league position follow- after losing shape, composure ing their recent qualification for and ultimately the chance to next season’s Europa League, so celebrate securing the scudetto POPE REMINDS STARS OF DUTIES TO YOUNG may well pay dividends. at the home of their arch rivals, Pope Francis yesterday received a group of footballers from However, Inzaghi — the the pressure is now on to make Juventus and Lazio on the eve of their Italian Cup final clash. brother of former AC Milan sure there is no repeat. The 80-year-old pontiff, a keen player himself in his youth and a fan striker and coach Filippo — is Winning a treble, seven years of Buenos Aires club San Lorenzo, told the players they had a “great now sweating on the fitness of after Inter Milan achieved the responsibility towards youth.” midfielder Marco Parolo (knee) feat under the helm of Jose “Those who are seen as champions easily become role models,” he and Belgian defender Jordan Lu- Mourinho in 2010, has been said before voicing his concern over football-related violence. kaku (thigh) after both pulled Juve’s ambition all season. up injured in Florence. But the pressure is beginning Serie A leaders Juventus go into tonight’s final looking to complete “It’s not what we wanted,” In- to tell. Juventus have drawn two the first leg of a potential league, cup and Champions League treble zaghi said. “But that’s all part and lost one of their last three this season. (AFP) of football. I hope we get both league outings, shipping six back for the final.” (AFP).