Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli remains tight-lipped on whether winning the Coppa Italia against Atalanta tonight could help decide Max Allegri’s future.
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
A winner must be decided tonight, so if it’s level after 90 minutes, they go to extra time or even penalties.
“It is an emotional evening, the crowning moment in an important year. After qualifying for the Champions League, the lads also achieved the other objective of reaching the Coppa Italia Final, so now we hope to win,” Giuntoli told Sport Mediaset.
Inevitably, the questions skirt around the possibility that Allegri will no longer be on the Juve bench next term, but as ever, the director remains tight-lipped on whether the Coppa Italia victory could shift that balance.
“We are not thinking about the transfer market yet. Obviously, there are many competitions next season, we still need to discuss the situation with the coach, the others, so there is time for that.
“Winning is always important and it would be satisfying. Winning helps to win, going into a new season it would give us fresh energy and help us to keep believing in the project.”
Juventus linked with Koopmeiners
The Bianconeri are in their eighth Coppa Italia Final of the last 10 years and beat Atalanta when coming head-to-head in 2021.
Manuel Locatelli is suspended, but Allegri has surprisingly chosen Hans Nicolussi Caviglia to replace him, with Samuel Iling-Junior on the left flank.
Teun Koopmeiners starts for Atalanta this evening and has been heavily linked with a transfer to Juventus, so could he fit in this squad?
“Koopmeiners is a very talented player, Atalanta is full of them, but I want to talk about our own players who got us to this Final. I want to keep the focus on this evening and we wish to enjoy it to the full.”
Allegri OUT FOREVER!!