Atalanta 1-2 Juventus: Player ratings as Juve secure Coppa Italia glory
Juventus secured their 14th Coppa Italia crown as they beat Atalanta 2-1 at the Mapei Stadium on Wednesday night.
La Dea were dominant in the opening exchanges but thanks to a moment of Dejan Kulusevski magic, it was Juve who took the lead on the night. Atalanta swiftly earned their just reward for their first-half showing, however, as Bianconeri nemesis Ruslan Malinovskyi equalised with a powerful effort.
A rejuvenated Old Lady returned for the second period as Andrea Pirlo’s side began to seize the initiative. After spurning a couple of glorious chances, Federico Chiesa eventually gave Juve a deserved lead with 20 minutes remaining.
Atalanta’s second wind wasn’t forthcoming as a resolute Bianconeri shut them out with consummate ease in the closing stages to claim Coppa Italia glory.
Here are the Juventus player ratings from the final.
GK – Gianluigi Buffon
What a way to go out, eh? Plus, he didn’t actually have to do much. For all of Atalanta’s good work in the opening period, they failed to work Buffon for the most part. I can only recall a tame Hans Hateboer header testing the departing Italian.
Rating: 6/10
RB – Juan Cuadrado
Pirlo’s concerted effort to slow down Atalanta’s rotations down the flanks meant it was an alternate role for Cuadrado tonight. While there was little by way of attacking influence from his conservative full-back function, the Colombian’s defensive effort was stellar. His work at the back-post was immense throughout.
Rating: 7.5/10
CB – Matthijs de Ligt
The signs were ominous for de Ligt following an opening period of Duvan Zapata dominance. However, the Dutchman responded admirably after the break to produce a resolute defensive showing – all while on a yellow card as well, depicting his maturity.
It was his warrior-like effort to deny Cristian Romero from close range that kickstarted his upturn in performance.
Rating: 6.5/10
CB – Giorgio Chiellini
The Italian, on the other hand, took a little longer to recover from early Zapata supremacy. The Colombian pinned the savvy veteran defender for an early chance.
While his performance was rugged and he inevitably saw yellow, the closing stages in which Juve attempted to preserve a slender lead saw Chiellini return to his ageless best.
Rating: 6.5/10
LB – Danilo
Danilo was probably the least active of the starting XI. There was little to note of his showing other than his hospital pass into Adrien Rabiot that led to Malinovskyi’s equaliser and the inverted role he took up when Juve had possession. The Brazilian defended diligently throughout.
Rating: 5.5/10
RM – Weston McKennie
While the American frustrated at times in possession, especially in transition, McKennie was the protagonist in an intense out of possession showing from the Bianconeri. He buzzed around the Mapei Stadium like the Duracell bunny, counter-pressing at will and smartly screening the right half-space in Juve’s 4-4-2 structure without the ball.
He also set up Kulusevski’s opener, while his positioning often aided Juve’s positional play down the right.
Rating: 7/10
CM – Rodrigo Bentancur
The Uruguayan enjoyed a fine outing as his role in possession was simplified. He was primarily tasked with protecting the back four and Bentancur performed his role with the utmost diligence: persistently picking off passes like an elite linebacker – Luke Kuechly-esque. His athleticism helped shun La Dea in transition, with the timing of his challenges often perfect.
More of this please, Rodrigo!
Rating: 8/10
CM – Adrien Rabiot
Like his midfield partner, the Frenchman enjoyed a superb night. Defensively robust and cool in possession, Rabiot’s performance was well-rounded. I’m not going to be too harsh on him regarding his involvement in Atalanta’s equaliser either.
Rating: 8/10
LM – Federico Chiesa
It looked like it wasn’t going to be the three-time Old Juve Player of the Month’s night as he failed to make the most of an exquisite Ronaldo flick with his effort cannoning off the post. However, once again, it was Chiesa who proved Juve’s hero.
The sequence for the winner was sublime, with Kulusevski’s interruption a tidy facilitator. A swift one-two with the impressive Swede left him one-vs-one with Gollini and he made no mistake on this occasion, coolly finishing with his left-foot. The strike proved Chiesa’s concluding moment in the contest.
Rating: 8/10
Next. Juventus: Ranking Andrea Pirlo's potential replacements. dark
ST – Dejan Kulusevski
This felt like Kulu’s statement performance. He’s arrived, ladies and gentlemen. While his work for Chiesa’s winner was subtly brilliant, his crowning moment on a wonderful night was undoubtedly his majestic strike for the game’s opener.
The nonchalance.
Otherwise, the young Swede was perpetually bright, buzzing between the lines and around the Atalanta box seeking to create innovative solutions. He was a pleasure to watch tonight.
Rating: 8.5/10
ST – Cristiano Ronaldo
A fairly quiet night for the man who’s so often the hero on these nights. Ronaldo threatened to burst into life in the second period, but it was Kulusevski and Chiesa who proved the Bianconeri’s leading men in this one.
Rating: 5.5/10