tackle Atalanta in Coppa Italia
Juventus have won the last four editions
of the competition -- sealing a record
18th last season by beating AC Milan in
the final.
Cristiano Ronaldo locks horns again
with Colombian ace Duvan Zapata as
Juventus travel to Atalanta on
Wednesday with a Coppa Italia semi-
final berth at stake.
Juventus have won the last four editions
of the competition -- sealing a record
18th last season by beating AC Milan in
the final.
But their path towards another title
after lifting the Italian Super Cup this
month could be hampered by quarter-
final opponents Atalanta.
Zapata scored a double against Juventus
as the side from Bergamo held the
champions to a 2-2 draw in Serie A on
December 26.
The league leaders had travelled to
Bergamo with Ronaldo on the bench but
were forced to call on the Portuguese
star after a Zapata brace threatened
their unbeaten run this season.
Both Ronaldo and Zapata are in form
having scored 15 goals in Serie A so far,
and are vying for top scorer.
Ronaldo slotted in the penalty that gave
Juventus a hard-fought 2-1 win over
Lazio on Sunday.
In Bergamo, Zapata missed a penalty
but less than a minute later scored the
equaliser as his side came from three
goals down to hold Roma 3-3.
It was the 27-year-old Colombian’s 14th
goal in the last eight league games.
He also scored in the Coppa Italia last
16 tie against Cagliari.
Ronaldo, 33, has scored in his last eight
away games, along with the winner in
the Italian Super Cup final and a
Champions League goal for a total of 17
for Juventus.
But Juventus looked sluggish for an hour
on Sunday with second half substitutes
Joao Cancelo and Federico Bernardeschi
saving the day in Rome.
“Those who come off the bench are
essential,†said Massimiliano Allegri. “I
was sad to leave Bernardeschi out
initially, but we have a big game
coming up against Atalanta.â€
Juventus will be without defender
Leonardo Bonucci who sprained his
ankle at the weekend, but Miralem
Pjanic, Sami Khedira and Mario
Mandzukic are all back training.
