Based on the fact that Juventus and Atalanta were scheduled to play on Sunday but obviously didn’t because of the massive amount of snow in Turin, one might think to themselves that nothing is going to be all that different.
It’s the Coppa Italia, not Serie A, sure. But, at the same time, it’s the same two teams that were prepared to play Sunday but obviously didn’t.
Stupid snow...
Unlike on Sunday, things are a little more clear-cut. Three days ago — before the snow arrived and ruined just about everything — it was about trying to, once again, taking advantage of an opportunity to leapfrog Napoli for a couple of hours. This time, the goal is simple based on the fact that Juve enter this second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinals with a 1-0 aggregate lead.
Just get to Rome.
We're just one step away from another trip to Rome.
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) February 27, 2018
Ready for #JuveAtalanta?! #TIMCup #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/69LSPSHcwS
We can talk about style points. We can talk about all the different kind of scenarios. Simply put, if Juventus is able to use this 1-0 aggregate lead to their advantage and actually protect a lead — you know, what they didn’t do against Tottenham a few weeks back — then they get to go back and defend their Coppa Italia reign once again.
If they don’t, well, let’s just not go ahead and think about all of that.
Juventus and Atalanta didn’t get to play Sunday, and there just so happens to be more snow in the forecast for tonight’s interesting 5:30 p.m. kickoff locally, so maybe history won’t likely repeat itself. That means there could very well be some football played, not more snow to talk about a few hours from now.
Let’s just hope that there’s also talk of Juventus making the Coppa Italia final. That sure would be nice. (Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just go and say “It’s just the Coppa Italia!” all you want. I like when Juventus wins trophies.)
MATCH INFO
Location: Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy
Kickoff time: 5:30 p.m. local time in Italy; 4:30 p.m. in the United Kingdom; 11:30 a.m. on the East Coast; 8:30 a.m. on the West Coast
STARTING LINEUPS
Juventus starting XI (4-3-3): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Benatia, Chiellini, Asamoah; Marchisio, Pjanic, Matuidi; Douglas Costa, Mandzukic, Alex Sandro
Juventus bench: Szczesny, Pinsoglio, Barzagli, Rugani, Howedes, Khedira, Sturaro, Dybala
Atalanta starting XI (3-4-1-2): Berisha; Mancini, Caldara, Masiello; Hateboer, De Roon, Freuler, Spinazzola; Cristante; Ilicic, Gomez
Atalanta bench: Barrow, Castagne, Cornelius, Gollini, Gosens, Haas, Melegoni, Palomino, Rizzo, Rossi
WATCH IT
Television: GOLTV USA, GOLTV Español (United States); Sky Sports Football, NOW TV UK (United Kingdom); RAI Uno (Italy)
Online/Mobile: fuboTV (United States); Sky Go UK, SKY GO Extra (United Kingdom); RAI Play (Italy)
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