MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP
Andrea Pirlo insisted he wanted to continue as Juventus coach after lifting his second trophy this season in the Coppa Italia final.
The dethroned league champions beat Atalanta 2-1 to win the Italian Cup for the 14th time after winning the Super Cup in January.
Federico Chiesa scored the winner with quarter of an hour to go after Dejan Kulusevski struck after half an hour, in a game played in front of fans for the first time in over a year.
“It was a great match, between two beautiful teams who fought to the end, a final worthy of this name, also a big celebration for the public, with everything that has happened this season,” said Pirlo, who turned 42 on Wednesday.
With fans in attendance for the first time in Italy since March, it was Juve who took the lead at the Mapei Stadium, against the run of play, thanks to a fine finish from Kulusevski in the 31st minute.
Atalanta, looking to win their first Italian Cup since 1963, deservedly levelled through Ruslan Malinovskiy four minutes before the break.
But Pirlo s side stepped it up after the break and Chiesa fired home his 13th goal in all competitions this season in the 73rd minute to spark jubilant scenes among the Juve players and staff at the final whistle. It was wonderful for everyone, Chiesa told Rai Sport. For those who have suffered in recent months.
Pirlo determined to continue at Juventus after Coppa win 20 May 2021 / 09:15 H.
REGGIO EMILIA: Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo said his goal is to continue managing the club that he loves after steering his side to a Coppa Italia triumph over Atalanta on Wednesday, the Italian’s first trophy since taking charge last summer.
Pirlo’s first season as Juve coach has not gone to plan as the reigning champions failed to mount a Serie A title defence, and go into Sunday’s final round of matches needing other results to go their way to finish in the top four.
The season will not finish trophyless, however, after goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Federico Chiesa helped Juve beat Atalanta 2-1 in the Mapei Stadium to take home a 14th Coppa Italia crown, easing the pressure on Pirlo.