ユベントスプリマヴェーラはローマに届かずコッパ・イタリアはランナ・アップに終わる！！

Primavera bow out with heads held high(Juventus Official Website)

A plucky performance in the capital proved not to be enough for the Primavera to overcome Roma in the Coppa Italia final. The Viareggio champions were required to overturn the 2-1 first leg defeat in Turin and, despite battling admirably throughout, failed to breach a resolute Giallorossi defence.

Marco Baroni opted to make just one change to his starting line-up from the first leg at Juventus Stadium. Bouy came in for Beltrame, with the January arrival from Ajax supporting lone striker Padovan alongside Spinazzola and De Silvestro.

After a relatively balanced opening period, the hosts sprung into life on eighteen minutes and almost went in front with a speculative attempt from range. Ciciretti gathered the ball in space and hit a thunderous strike that cannoned off the upright.

Juventus, however, launched an immediate assault on the Giallorossi goal through Bouy. The midfielder charged at the heart of the defence and skipped past Barba before hooking his attempt over the crossbar.

And the Dutchman was in the thick of the action shortly afterwards, going close to turning the ball goalwards after Pigliacelli fumbled at his feet.

The Bianconeri took to the field for the second-half with increased purpose and carved out a fine opportunity to break the deadlock inside the first five minutes. Padovan burst through into box, took a tumble under the challenge of Barba, but picked himself up to thrash a left-footed shot just wide of the target.

Baroni’s side continued to up the pressure and called Pigliacelli into action when De Silvestro cut inside and struck a low effort towards goal.

Yet the visitors were given a warning of Roma’s threat on the counter-attack moments later. Tallo scampered through on goal and sent in a low shot which crept towards the bottom corner. Branescu, however, had other ideas and pulled off a sensational stop to keep Juve’s Coppa Italia dreams alive.

And these were almost given a glimmer of hope when the ball worked its way towards Chibsah in the penalty area. The Ghanaian midfielder side-footed towards goal, only to see his attempt whistle agonisingly wide of the post.

The introductions of Beltrame, Libertazzi and Ruggiero added extra impetus to the Bianconeri’s forward movement but they were unable to produce a goal their efforts merited.

De Benedictis’ final whistle saw Roma crowned Coppa Italia winners, exacting revenge after losing by the same scoreline in the Viareggio Cup final. Baroni’s side, however, will take heart from their strong performance in the competition and will now look to double their trophy count by sealing the Primavera championship.

ROMA 0-0 JUVENTUS

ROMA
Pigliacelli; Nego, Sabelli, Orchi, Barba; Politano (Frediani 71), Viviani, Verre; Ciciretti (Cittadino 56), Tallo, Piscitella (Leonardi 82).
Substitutes not used: Proietti, Rosato, Carboni, Lopez.
Coach: De Rossi.

JUVENTUS
Branescu; Untersee, Gouano, Rubin, Liviero; Appelt, Chibsah; Spinazzola, Bouy (Beltrame 46), De Silvestro (Ruggiero 78); Padovan (Libertazzi 56).
Substitutes not used: Sluga, Schiavone, Magnusson, Margiotta.
Coach: Baroni.

REFEREE: De Benedictis
ASSISTANTS: Calò, Grillo
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Cifelli

BOOKINGS: Tallo 3, Orchi 78

旅に出ている間にいろいろ起こっているね。

快進撃を続けていたユベントスのプリマヴェーラはコッパ・イタリア・プリマヴェーラのファイナルセカンドレグでゴールレスドローとなり、ローマに優勝をさらわれる結果となった。

２点が必要なユベントスはローマを相手に攻勢を仕掛けたが崩すことができず。ゴールが奪えないままにタイムアップ。今季ふたつめのタイトルは目の前でかっさらわれてしまった。

とはいえ、プリマヴェーラは楽しみな選手が多いことも事実。彼らがトップチームで活躍できるように成長してくれることを願いたいね。