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Sports News of Thursday, 18 June 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Napoli clinch Coppa Italia title by defeating Juventus

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Napoli has lifted their sixth Coppa Italia trophy after a penalty shoot-out win against Juventus on Wednesday.

The game was forced into shoot-outs as both teams remained inseparable after regular time, 0-0 it ended.

Paulo Dybala and Danilo failed to convert their spot-kicks, dashing the hopes of the Serie A league leaders.

Arkadiusz Milik was left with the nailing kick for Napoli and he slot it into compound Ronaldo's misery, who not only watched Juve's misses but could not step up to take his penalty with the game already lost by 4-2.

Napoli became the 5th club in Serie A to have won the Coppa Italia after beating Juventus 4-2 on penalties.

The first major cup final since football returned after the worst of the coronavirus pandemic in Europe took place at the Stadio Olimpico and saw a barren draw at the end of regular time.

Coach Gennaro Gattuso told Rai Sport: "Whoever does this job must have respect for it.

"We are lucky. This is why I get angry; there must be passion, respect, seriousness. Then there is a God of football who rewards you when you work well."

Unfortunately, Juve's Maurizio Sarri who has now lost two finals since taking over at Turin blamed the loss on the coronavirus pandemic.

"There is disappointment for the boys, for the club, for the fans, but at the moment we cannot express more," he told Rai Sport.

"We have tried to press less high, our condition is not the optimal one, but we did the game with excellent levels of application.

"I think that at the moment we are struggling especially in terms of individuality and that this lack of brilliance is characteristic of this period.

"I didn't say anything to the players, we were all very angry and disappointed and I think it's better to be silent right now. We will talk about it."