Contesting the Coppa Italia final for the second time in four years, Atalanta and Juventus will clash at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Wednesday, May 15.
Two of Serie A's top six teams collide in the capital, where Atalanta will aim to secure their first major trophy since the 1960s. At the same time, Juventus strive to return to the winners' circle after a rare trophyless period.
The clubs drew both of their Serie A meetings this term, but there must be a winner on Wednesday, even if it takes extra time and penalties.
Atalanta will make their first appearance in the Coppa Italia final since losing to the same opposition three years ago when Federico Chiesa's second-half winner secured a 2-1 victory for the Bianconeri at the Mapei Stadium (Citta del Tricolore).
To date, the Nerazzurri's only triumph in the Coppa Italia came back in 1963. Since then, they have lost four consecutive finals, with current boss Gian Piero Gasperini leading the squad in the last two (2019 and 2021).
This year, La Dea's road to Rome included victories over Sassuolo and AC Milan, followed by a thrilling second-leg comeback against Fiorentina in the semi-finals. Goals from Ademola Lookman and Mario Pasalic deep into stoppage time dramatically turned the tie in Atalanta's favor.
Long renowned as a tactical maestro but never quite able to secure the game's most notable prizes, Gasperini would relish lifting a trophy to cap his impressive career. After contesting this week's showpiece at the Stadio Olimpico, his team could also claim silverware in Europe.
Having already eliminated Portuguese champions Sporting CP and Premier League giants Liverpool, Atalanta recently defeated Ligue 1 side Olympique Marseille in the Europa League semi-finals and will soon face unbeaten Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen in the final in Dublin.
Meanwhile, Sunday's 2-1 league victory over Roma, secured by two early Charles De Ketelaere goals, should have been by a much more significant margin. Nevertheless, it leaves Gasperini's men in fifth place in Serie A, which would be sufficient to secure a Champions League return.
Furthermore, they are four points behind fourth-placed Juventus and have one game remaining.
Gianluca Scamacca, who starred in Atalanta's semi-final second-leg victory over Fiorentina, will have to miss the final in his home city due to suspension after receiving a booking.
Belgian forward Charles De Ketelaere recently confirmed his permanent move from AC Milan and scored his 12th and 13th campaign goals on Sunday. Either Aleksei Miranchuk or Ademola Lookman in a supporting role could be a reliable option to replace suspended in-form Scamacca.
Captain Rafael Toloi and Swedish right-back Emil Holm remain sidelined, while Atalanta will also be without experienced Sead Kolasinac, who picked up a thigh injury against his former club, Marseille.
While the weight of history bears on Atalanta's shoulders, the Bianconeri are also under significant pressure to return home with the trophy. By their high standards, they are enduring an unacceptable trophy drought, having last lifted silverware by defeating Atalanta in 2021.
Beaten by old foes Inter Milan a year later, Juventus have struggled in Serie A for some time now, and this season's attempt to compete in the Scudetto race fell apart yet again.
Although The Old Lady has qualified for the Champions League after a one-season absence, as confirmed by Atalanta's victory over Roma on Sunday evening, a once-promising campaign now risks descending into proper mediocrity.
Having drawn each of their last five Serie A matches-most recently being held at home by already-relegated rock-bottom Salernitana-Max Allegri's side are now fourth in the standings, some 25 points behind the relentless champions Inter Milan.
Adrien Rabiot's stoppage-time equalizer spared the Old Lady's blushes, resulting in a 1-1 draw in Turin and marking just three wins from 17 matches for a team once in contention for the Scudetto.
This streak highlights his team's uninspired playing style, which sharply contrasts with Gian Piero Gasperini's fluid soccer in Bergamo, casting doubt on Massimiliano Allegri's future.
If Allegri is to depart Turin this summer, one year before the end of his substantial contract, the Tuscan coach will at least hope to sign off by claiming Juve's record-extending 15th Coppa Italia.
Juventus have Brazilian duo Alex Sandro and Danilo available, both of whom returned to training on Monday, which is a significant boost. Elsewhere, the USMNT international Timothy Weah returns from a one-game ban, and Federico Chiesa has recovered from an illness that benched him against Salernitana over the weekend.
Kenan Yildiz is doubtful as the Turkish teenager fights to overcome a shoulder problem, but Mattia De Sciglio is out due to injury, and midfielder Manuel Locatelli is suspended.
Juve's cup goalkeeper, Mattia Perin, will once again step aside for the match on Wednesday.
· Atalanta: Marco Carnesecchi, Berat Djimsiti, Isak Hien, Giorgio Scalvini, Matteo Ruggeri, Marten de Roon, Ederson, Davide Zappacosta, Ademola Lookman, Teun Koopmeiners, and Charles De Ketelaere. (3-4-2-1)
· Juventus: Mattia Perin, Daniele Rugani, Bremer, Federico Gatti, Filip Kostic, Adrien Rabiot, Fabio Miretti, Weston McKennie, Andrea Cambiaso, Dusan Vlahovic, and Federico Chiesa. (3-5-2)
After over six decades of waiting, Atalanta is poised to celebrate Coppa Italia's success again, entering Wednesday's final as the more in-form and accomplished side.
Despite Juventus' reputation for delivering under pressure, they may need to catch up on the big stage this time. They have lost momentum since their Derby d'Italia defeat in early February.
Despite another disappointing performance over the weekend, we wouldn't underestimate Max Allegri's side before the match begins. However, Atalanta finds itself in significantly better shape, and their drive to win the Coppa Italia for the first time in 61 years could be a powerful motivator.
Although the Bianconeri have built a reputation as big-game specialists over the years, it's now La Dea's time to rise to the occasion and start reaping the benefits of their development under Gian Piero Gasperini.
