Late Milik strike propels Juventus into Coppa Italia final despite Lazio defeat

ROME: A dramatic twist in the Coppa Italia semi-final saw Juventus secure their spot in the final despite a narrow defeat to Lazio in the second leg. With a 3-2 aggregate win, Juventus advanced, thanks to a late goal by striker Arkadiusz Milik.

In a tightly contested match, Juventus, the record 14-times winners, initially held a 2-0 advantage from the first leg. However, Lazio fought back fiercely in the return leg, with forward Valentin Castellanos scoring twice to level the tie by the 48th minute.

As the tension mounted, substitute Milik emerged as the hero for Juventus, finding the net from close range just seven minutes from time, securing their place in the final.

Reflecting on the match, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri acknowledged Lazio’s spirited performance, stating, “Lazio had to turn the game around, it was normal to expect aggression.”

With this victory, Juventus has set their sights on their 22nd Coppa Italia final, seeking to add to their illustrious trophy cabinet. Their last triumph in the Italian Cup came in the 2020-21 season.

As the Coppa Italia drama unfolds, attention now turns to the other semi-final clash between Atalanta and Fiorentina, with Fiorentina holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.

Fans can anticipate an electrifying final showdown at the Stadio Olimpico on May 15, where Juventus will vie for yet another Coppa Italia title.