ROME – The Old Lady won her first Coppa Italia in two decades on Wednesday night at the capital’s Stadio Olimpico, beating Lazio 2-1. Juventus are now on the verge of completing a historic treble as they face Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League final on June 6, having already wrapped up the Serie A title a fortnight ago.

 Following the match-fixing scandal, which has affected Italian football and dominated the headlines this week, it is refreshing to be able to talk about the beautiful game once more. Juventus have been, without doubt, Italy’s most impressive team this year, winning a fourth straight Scudetto and claiming scalps including Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid on the way to the Champions League final.

 A fine run of recent form has however, seen Lazio solidify their grip on second place in Serie A and confidence was high going into the showpiece at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday. In spite of this, it still came as a bit of a shock to fans of both sides when Stefan Radu gave Lazio the lead after just four minutes, with a well-placed finish.   

 If there is one thing that characterises this Juventus side, it is their experience in big match situations and it was one of their veterans Giorgio Chiellini, who provided the equaliser just six minutes later. The remainder of the opening 90 minutes played out in a cagey fashion with Lazio enjoying more possession but both teams struggled to create clear-cut openings.

 As the fixture moved into extra-time, fatigue began to play a part and spaces began to open up across the field. Lazio twice went close as Filip Djordjevic saw his shot hit both posts before it was cleared by the Juventus defence. In-keeping with recent trends however, it was to be the Bianconeri who delivered the telling blow. Substitute Alessandro Matri saw his 97^th minute shot evade the Lazio keeper’s grasp and give his side the crucial 2-1 lead.

 “Lazio played a great game. It was worthy of a final,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri told Rai Sport. “We did well and they did well. They were unlucky hitting the woodwork twice in the same move and we were fortunate on one of our goals.”

 Now Juventus turn their attention to the biggest match in the club’s recent history. Undoubtedly the Old Lady will be the underdog heading into the final of the world’s premier club competition, as was the case in the semi-final at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu. However this new look Juventus side comprising a mix of youth and experience, has proved its doubters wrong time and time again this season, and the manager is relishing the Barcelona challenge.

 "I have to say that it wasn't easy to win the Scudetto and Coppa Italia. Now we'll try to win the third," he said. "It is not easy to play in three tournaments all the way through a season. Now we will try to nourish this dream and turn it into reality.”