Atalanta and Lazio meet in Bergamo to decide who takes the other Coppa Italia final place
The first leg in Rome back on March 4 finished 2-2 after four second-half goals and a Yunus Musah equaliser deep into stoppage time. It sets up an evenly poised second leg at the New Balance Arena on Wednesday with a place in the May 13 Coppa Italia final on the line, and with it, the chance to meet Inter in what is now a very open cup tie.
Atalanta have used the cup as the route that keeps their European qualification hopes alive this season. Raffaele Palladino's side have not been flawless in Serie A, but they have reached the semi-final and go into the home leg knowing Bergamo has turned out all season for the knockout nights. A win here would match the status this club has enjoyed as a regular presence in the Coppa Italia closing stages.
Lazio arrive with momentum
Lazio turn up with the better recent form. Their last league outing was a 2-0 win away at Napoli, the kind of statement result that has been rare for them this season, and it has given Maurizio Sarri's side something to push off. The 2-2 aggregate means Atalanta cannot afford to take a cautious approach, even at home — a draw would send the tie to extra time, and anything less than a win for the hosts over 90 minutes leaves Lazio still standing.
Sarri has also already done the heavy lifting in this cup run. Lazio beat Bologna, the defending Coppa Italia champions, in the quarter-finals to knock out the holders and that is the kind of win that changes how a dressing room thinks about its chances.
What is on the line
For Atalanta, a home win puts them into a Coppa Italia final against an Inter side chasing a domestic double after going 12 points clear in Serie A. For Lazio, a result in Bergamo delivers a final in a season where their league position has not lived up to expectations.
Kick-off is at 9pm CET at the New Balance Arena. The winner plays Inter on May 13.
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