The biggest winner of the Italian Cup with 13 titles, four of them in the last five seasons, Juventus continue to fight for another cup in the competition. This Wednesday, the Old Lady faced Roma at Juventus Stadium in Turin and made an impeccable first half with three goals to qualify for the semifinals with the victory by 3-1.
Once again, Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo scored his goal – the first of the match – but Juventus’ highlight was Douglas Costa. With space in the middle sector until the edge of Roma’s box, the Brazilian was present in most of the team’s offensive plays. He ended up the game with two assists.
The opponents of the semifinals, which will be in a two-leg confrontation on February 12 and March 4, will be known only next week. Juve’s opponents can be either AC Milan or Torino, as they will face each other at San Siro.
Juventus was sovereign in the first half. With possession of the ball, as coach Maurizio Sarri likes, the Turin side did not let Roma play and easily managed to score the goals. The first, on 25, came in a sprint from Cristiano Ronaldo down the left resulting in a low shot in the left corner of goalkeeper Pau Lopez.
Uruguayan Betancur scored the second from the penalty spot on 38 mins, and Bonucci headed home the third, at 45+2.
Roma woke up in the second half and sought the reaction. In the 50th minute, the Romans managed to decrease in a beautiful goal scored by Cengiz Under. The Turk received at the edge of the area and struck a shot at the top corner of Gianluigi Buffon. However, the ball hit the crossbar, and then ricocheted on the goalkeeper’s back and got inside the goal. 3-1 Juve.
However, the Roman momentum stopped there, greatly helped by good saves by the veteran 41-year-old keeper of Juventus, who redeemed himself from an unlucky own goal.