Juventus end three-year trophy drought with Italian Cup triumph

Juventus' move to splash out a hefty sum of over 70 million euros ($80 million) on the acquisition of Dusan Vlahovic from Fiorentina has long been met with considerable backlash and scrutiny. The Serbian striker's performance last season, where he managed only 10 league goals, has led many to question whether he possesses the caliber expected of such a highly-priced player.

Although Vlahovic has shown improvement in front of the goal this season, there have been instances when Juventus counter-attacks have faltered due to his wayward finishing. Nonetheless, staunch supporters of Vlahovic argue that his ability to position himself in scoring positions is unparalleled and that his true potential will inevitably shine through. And on Wednesday night, those loyal fans were vindicated as Vlahovic's early strike sealed Juventus their first trophy in three barren years.

Massimiliano Allegri's team had encountered a rough patch, having only secured three victories since the end of January leading up to the final. However, they displayed a tenacious performance against Atalanta, frustrating their opponents right from the start. It was none other than Vlahovic who made a significant impact when he latched onto a pass from Andrea Cambiaso and skillfully maneuvered inside the box, slotting the ball past Marco Carnesecchi from the vicinity of the penalty spot.

The Serb appeared to have doubled the lead in the second half, heading home a lofted cross from Cambiaso after the ball bounced in front of Carnesecchi and found its way into the net. Unfortunately, the goal was disallowed due to an offside decision.

Atalanta, who are set to face Leverkusen in the Europa League final next Wednesday, have achieved a remarkable feat by reaching two different finals this season. They were considered favorites to secure their first major trophy since their Cup triumph in 1963, following a fantastic season. Yet, despite enjoying more possession throughout the match against Juventus, Atalanta struggled to break through a meticulously organized Juventus defense. Their best opportunity came toward the end when Ademola Lookman struck the post with a long-range effort from outside the penalty area.

"We were up against a formidable team that struck early and defended very well. I wouldn't say we played badly... they didn't outshine us in any particular aspect," remarked Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini. He now shifts the focus toward securing Champions League qualification, as the team redirects their attention to future endeavors.

As for Allegri, his relief was palpable following this victory. Allegri has faced criticism and rumors of an impending departure due to underwhelming performances this season. He expressed dissatisfaction with the referee's decisions throughout the match, to the point of throwing his jacket and tie to the ground in frustration before venting his frustrations at the officials on the pitch.

Later in the day, Allegri returned fully composed to celebrate the cup triumph, but he suggested that his tenure as Juventus coach may be coming to an end, stating, "If I'm gone next season, because I've already been sacked in the media, we are in the Champions League and have won a trophy... We've done everything we were supposed to do... the boys did really well to win it."