Contesting the Coppa Italia final for the second time in four years, Atalanta BC and Juventus meet at Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.
Two members of Serie A's top six convene in the capital, where La Dea will seek a first major trophy since the 1960s and Juve aim to get back in the winners' circle after a rare lean spell.
Match preview
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Approaching the climax of what could be an historic season at the Bergamo club, Atalanta are set to make their first appearance in the Coppa Italia final since losing to Juventus three years ago, when Federico Chiesa's second-half strike secured a 2-1 win for the Bianconeri.
To date, the Nerazzurri's sole triumph in Italy's national cup came back in 1963, while they have lost four times in the final, with current coach Gian Piero Gasperini being in charge for both of the last two.
This year, their run to Rome featured wins over Sassuolo and AC Milan, before a thrilling second-leg comeback edged out Fiorentina in the semi-finals: Ademola Lookman and Mario Pasalic scored deep into stoppage time to dramatically turn the tie in La Dea's favour.
Long renowned as a tactical maestro, but never quite able to grasp the game's most glittering prizes, Gasperini would delight in lifting a trophy to cap his impressive career, and after contesting this week's showpiece at Stadio Olimpico, his team could yet claim silverware in Europe too.
Having already eliminated Sporting CP and Liverpool, Atalanta recently saw off Marseille in the Europa League semis and will soon meet unbeaten German champions Bayer Leverkusen in the Dublin decider.
Sunday's 2-1 league win over Roma - earned by two early Charles De Ketelaere goals - should have been by a much greater margin, but nevertheless leaves Gasperini's men occupying fifth spot in Serie A, which would prove sufficient to secure a Champions League return.
In fact, they have now drawn within four points of fourth-placed Juventus, with one game in hand: the clubs' drew both of their league meetings this season, but even if it takes extra time and penalties, there must be a winner on Wednesday.
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While the weight of history bears down on La Dea's shoulders, Juventus are also under pressure to return home with the cup: by their high standards, they are enduring an unacceptable trophy drought, having last lifted silverware when pipping Atalanta in 2021.
Beaten by old foes Inter Milan one year later, the Bianconeri have been off the pace in Serie A for some time now, and this season's attempt at taking part in the Scudetto race simply came apart at the seams.
Juve may have qualified for the Champions League after a one-year absence - with their place sealed on Sunday, by Atalanta's win over Roma - but a once-promising campaign is now in danger of descending into mediocrity.
Having drawn each of their last five matches - most recently, being held at home by already-relegated Salernitana - Max Allegri's men are now fourth in the standings and some 25 points adrift of irrepressible Inter.
It took a late leveller from Adrien Rabiot to spare the Old Lady's blushes on Sunday evening, when a 1-1 draw made it just three wins from 17 for a team previously in contention for the Italian title.
Allegri's future has therefore been called into question, as such a streak shines more light on his team's turgid playing style, which contrasts starkly with Gasperini's fluent football in Bergamo.
If he is to depart Turin this summer, one year before the end of a substantial contract, the Tuscan coach will at least hope to sign off for the second time by claiming Juve's record-extending 15th Coppa Italia.
Team News
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Though he starred in Atalanta's semi-final second-leg triumph over Fiorentina, in-form striker Gianluca Scamacca also picked up a booking that means he must miss a final in his home city due to suspension.
Having recently confirmed his loan move from Milan will be made permanent, Charles De Ketelaere scored his 12th and 13th goals of the season on Sunday and could be shifted up front to replace Scamacca; Ademola Lookman or Aleksei Miranchuk would then occupy a supporting role.
Emil Holm and club captain Rafael Toloi are still sidelined, while the Nerazzurri will also be without Sead Kolasinac, who sustained a thigh injury against former club Marseille in the Europa League semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Juventus have Brazilian duo Danilo and Alex Sandro available, after both returned to training on Monday; Timothy Weah is back from a one-match ban, and Federico Chiesa has recovered from an illness that saw him benched against Salernitana.
Turkish teenager Kenan Yildiz also hopes to overcome a shoulder problem, but Mattia De Sciglio misses out through injury and midfield regular Manuel Locatelli is suspended.
As Mattia Perin is Juve's cup goalkeeper, first-choice Wojciech Szczesny is set to step aside for the final.
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Hien, Djimsiti; Zappacosta, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners, Lookman; De Ketelaere
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Perin; Gatti, Bremer, Danilo; Cambiaso, McKennie, Nicolussi Caviglia, Rabiot, Kostic; Chiesa, Vlahovic
We say: Atalanta BC 2-1 Juventus (after extra time)
After over 60 years of waiting, Atalanta can celebrate Coppa Italia success again, as they are the more accomplished side and take some stellar form with them into Wednesday's final.
Juventus have a reputation for producing the goods when it matters, but this time they may come up short on the big stage, having lost all momentum since suffering Derby d'Italia defeat in February.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
