Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri
has paid tribute to his players' character after they completed
the domestic double and stayed on track for a remarkable treble
by beating Lazio 2-1 on Wednesday to claim the 10th Italian Cup
title of their history.
The Turin giants had already wrapped up their fourth
consecutive Serie A title and they face Barcelona in the
Champions League final in Berlin on June 6.
The only other Italian side to complete a Serie A-Italian
Cup-Champions League treble was Inter Milan in 2010.
Juve had to come from behind as Stefan Radu headed Lazio
ahead on four minutes.
Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini volleyed home from short
range after a free kick shortly after to level the score.
Substitute Alessandro Matri fired in the winner in extra
time.
Allegri's men had to battle hard against a quality Lazio
side and they also had a hearty helping of good luck.
Lazio substitute Filip Dordevic unleashed a thunderous shot
just before Matri scored, but it hit one post and then
ricocheted out off the other.
"It wasn't easy to do the league and cup double," said
Allegri.
"Now we'll see what the next final has in store for us.
"Lazio were superb, they really are in fine fettle.
"They were a tad unlucky too, but as we all know, moments
turn football matches.
"Before they hit both posts we had chances of our own.
"All my lads did brilliantly. It wasn't an easy game.
"Lazio made a strong start then we came into it more in the
second half.
"Going all the way in three competitions is no simple task.
The players were fantastic."
Juve had done the double twice before, in 1960 and 1995 -
the latter being the last time they won the cup.
Having 10 Cup titles gives Juve the right to be the first
Italian club to wear a silver star on their shirts.
Juve won the right to wear three gold stars on their
shirts after winning their 30th Serie A title last year.
But they opted not to do so in protest at not being able to
count the two titles they were stripped of in 2006 due to the
club's involvement in the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal.
"The Berlin final is still far away," said Chiellini.
"We have been waiting for this cup for many years, so we
just want to celebrate now.
"We will start thinking about Barcelona in a few days."
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