The Juventus wins the first leg of the semi-finals of Italian Cup beating 2-0 the Lazio. Revenge, therefore, for the Bianconeri who, after last Saturday's league defeat, move to the Stadium thanks to the goals scored in the second half by Federico Chiesa e Dusan Vlahovic. To gain a pass for the final, Allegri's team will have to defend – and perhaps consolidate – the advantage obtained in the return match to be held at the Olimpico in Rome on 23 April.
Juventus starts with a knife between their teeth, with the aim of avenging last Saturday's defeat. The hosts in fact conduct a very high pressing to induce the opponent to make mistakes. An attitude that, however, did not last long, given that Allegri's team almost immediately lowered the pace, granting more and more space to a Lazio team that closed the first half on a high note. The only bells before the break were the penalty awarded and then revoked to Cambiaso and the crossbar hit by Luis Alberto who almost missed a superficial Perin.
In the second half the music changes significantly, with the Biancocelesti collapsing especially on a physical level and Juve instead finding more and more security. Chiesa breaks the balance, launched deep by Cambiaso through a through ball, who one-on-one with Mandas scores the 1-0. Lazio felt the blow and a little later took a big risk on a long-range shot from Locatelli. The doubling was only a matter of time: in the 64th minute McKennie found Vlahovic, who with good footwork in the area got rid of Casale and punctured the Lazio goalkeeper with an elusive left-footed shot.
The penalty awarded and then canceled by VAR for Vecino's foul on Cambiaso will certainly cause discussion. It all happens in the 11th minute, when the Uruguayan midfielder doesn't notice his opponent and in an attempt to sweep the ball hits him squarely. Nothing to complain about the extent of the contact, obviously a foul, but VAR calls referee Massa to review the action and go back on his decision given that Patric's header – the last to touch the ball before the foul – is considered involuntary and that, as a result, Cambiaso is in an offside position.
His goal not only serves to break the deadlock, but also acts as a godsend that could put an end to a bad period for the Bianconeri. The applause in the Stadium at the moment of the exit was more than deserved
