It is once again Dusan Vlahovic who takes the chestnuts out of the fire at Juventus, in a match that was heading towards extra time against a tough Sassuolo and above all against a Pegolo who seemed truly unbeatable tonight. In the end, with a ‘strong’ goal from the new signing in the 89th minute, the bianconeri won 2-1 and reached Fiorentina in the semi-final of the Italian Cup. In the first half, Dybala’s goal in the 2 ‘was followed by Traore’s equal in the 23’. In attack Allegri still deploys Vlahovic from the first minute, next to Dybala, while Morata starts from the bench. Sassuolo responds with Berardi and Scamacca. Juve started strong immediately and took the lead on 2 ‘with Dybala. The Bianconeri are the masters of the field and the Emilians are already on the ropes.
At 7 ‘the first black-green sortie with a great shot by Berardi deflected for a corner by Perin. Sassuolo becomes dangerous with restarts, as in the 15th minute, when Kyriakopoulos commits Perin with a great shot. It is the prelude to a draw, which arrives at 23 ‘with an amazing shot by Traore under the intersection. The hosts, who in the first minutes seemed to easily control the match, are now in difficulty: Sassuolo press high and Berardi, Scamacca and Traore are always dangerous. Now it is Juve that in the second half of the first half must focus on restarts. In one of these, in the 34th minute, a great header by McKennie, blocked by a careful Pegolo. Just two minutes after Vlahovic’s drumming action, Pegolo still opposes. Juve regain confidence and end the first half forward. Sassuolo suffers especially on Alex Sandro’s wing, it is difficult to contain him. The recovery begins with the two teams facing each other openly, looking for the goal. In the first few minutes continuous reversals in front, opportunities for Scamacca and Vlahovic. At 54 ‘McKennie’s post after a great action by Vlahovic. Now Juve believes in it and pushes. Allegri wants to avoid extra time and puts Morata in place of De Sciglio, Locatelli takes the place of Zakaria who still played a good game. In the 61st minute Pegolo saved a great shot from Vlahovic’s near post. At 72 ‘Sassuolo miraculously saves himself on a triple close shot, even the post stops the bianconeri. Now the neroverdi are crushed in their area. But Pegolo takes the chair and saves everything, including a goal practically scored against Morata in the 75th minute. The rhythms of the bianconeri are now very high, Sassuolo are struggling and take time when they can.
At 81 ‘Pegolo practically managed to remove a ball from the net that had already entered: a miracle after a header from Rabiot. The match seems destined for extra time. Also because Pegolo is unsurpassed and also takes a great shot from De Ligt in the 87th minute. But in the 89th minute it was Vlahovic who avoided the extra time: forceful action on the back, he returned to the area and shoots, the ball was deflected by a defender and only in this way was Pegolo forced to surrender. Now Juventus are expected in the semifinals by Fiorentina, and Vlahovic will have to return to play at the Franchi for a first leg that promises to be incandescent.