Juve secure Italian Cup three in a row

AFP, ROME: Dani Alves and Leonardo Bonucci struck one apiece as treble-chasing Juventus secured a record third successive Italian Cup with a 2-0 victory over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.
Juventus, who won a league and Cup double the past two seasons, can clinch a record sixth consecutive Serie A title -- and a record third double -- with victory at home to Crotone on Sunday.
Massimiliano Allegri's men also face Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Cardiff on June -- and on this showing the Spanish giants will have cause for concern.
Days after seeing their title celebrations put on hold at the Stadio Olimpico following a 3-1 defeat to Lazio's city rivals Roma, Juventus were back their formidable best.
And Allegri said he expects more of the same on Sunday. Lazio, whose last trophy came from their 2013 Cup triumph, had hoped to emulate Roma by sending Juventus back to Turin with their tails between their legs.
But despite a battling display by Simone Inzaghi's men, Lazio spurned their few chances, and were outplayed by the slick, passing play inspired by Argentinian playmaker Paulo Dybala.
The sizeable Lazio support were given hope in the opening minutes when Keita Balde saw his shot from a tight angle, which evaded 'keeper Norberto Neto, come off the post. The scare was enough to jolt Juve into life. 
Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain, who went on to spurn several chances to add to Juve's tally, controlled well outside the area and unleashed a volley that Thomas Strakosha did well to block.
Strakosha pulled off an acrobatic save out the bag to stop Paulo Dybala's long-range effort, the first of many in a performance that underlined the 22-year-old Albanian's talents.
On the quarter-hour, Lazio piled on the pressure, but when Balde's cross into the area went awry it sent Juventus on a quick counter that left the capital side exposed.
Strakosha palmed Dybala's ferocious strike to safety, and when it fell to Higuain three yards out he kept the Argentina striker's effort out with his legs.
When Lazio were caught deep in Juve territory soon after, it exacted a heavier toll.
Dybala struck the corner, Alex Sandro flicked on towards the near post and Bonucci had an easy job tapping past Strakosha from close range.
Minutes before the interval, play was waved on when Thomas Rincon was left injured in midfield, and it almost paid off for Lazio when Ciro Immobile sent a header inches past Neto's upright.

Juve secure Italian Cup three in a row

AFP, ROME: Dani Alves and Leonardo Bonucci struck one apiece as treble-chasing Juventus secured a record third successive Italian Cup with a 2-0 victory over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday. Juventus, who won a league and Cup double the past two seasons, can clinch a record sixth consecutive Serie A title -- and a record third double -- with victory at home to Crotone on Sunday. Massimiliano Allegris men also face Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Cardiff on June -- and on this showing the Spanish giants will have cause for concern. Days after seeing their title celebrations put on hold at the Stadio Olimpico following a 3-1 defeat to Lazios city rivals Roma, Juventus were back their formidable best. And Allegri said he expects more of the same on Sunday. Lazio, whose last trophy came from their 2013 Cup triumph, had hoped to emulate Roma by sending Juventus back to Turin with their tails between their legs. But despite a battling display by Simone Inzaghis men, Lazio spurned their few chances, and were outplayed by the slick, passing play inspired by Argentinian playmaker Paulo Dybala. The sizeable Lazio support were given hope in the opening minutes when Keita Balde saw his shot from a tight angle, which evaded keeper Norberto Neto, come off the post. The scare was enough to jolt Juve into life. Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain, who went on to spurn several chances to add to Juves tally, controlled well outside the area and unleashed a volley that Thomas Strakosha did well to block. Strakosha pulled off an acrobatic save out the bag to stop Paulo Dybalas long-range effort, the first of many in a performance that underlined the 22-year-old Albanians talents. On the quarter-hour, Lazio piled on the pressure, but when Baldes cross into the area went awry it sent Juventus on a quick counter that left the capital side exposed. Strakosha palmed Dybalas ferocious strike to safety, and when it fell to Higuain three yards out he kept the Argentina strikers effort out with his legs. When Lazio were caught deep inJuve territory soon after, it exacted aheavier toll. Dybala struck the corner, Alex Sandro flicked on towards the near post and Bonucci had an easy job tapping past Strakosha from close range. Minutes before the interval, play was waved on when Thomas Rincon was left injured in midfield, and it almost paid off for Lazio when Ciro Immobile sent a header inches past Netos upright.