- Rues first consecutive finals loss in career
- Napoli triumph 4-2 on penalties
Portugal’s hero and five times Ballons d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, lost a second consecutive final for the first time in his Illustrious career as Napoli outlasted league leaders, Juventus, in the Coppa Italia decider on Wednesday night.
With the Supercoppa Italiana defeat to Lazio last year, the Portuguese star failed to wave his usual magic wand as Maurizio Sarri’s men let the Coppa Italia final slipped off their hands on penalties
It is the second consecutive final defeat for The Old Lady of Italian football as Ronaldo caught a forlorn picture when the referee’s final whistle signalled the end of proceedings.
After a goalless draw in regulation time, Napoli secured the trophy in a penalty shootout, beating the Bianconeri 4-2 with Paulo Dybala and Danilo wasting their kicks.
The Portugal hero, who featured the entire game, had three shots and hit the target with one. However, he did not get the chance to take a spot-kick as Gennaro Gattuso men were declared winners before his turn came around.
Having contested many domestic and continental finals with every team he has represented so far in his illustrious career, the 35-year-old Portuguese had never before lost two in a row.
This year’s Coppa Italia is the first in 11 years to be decided by a penalty shootout. It is also the sixth time Napoli are lifting the trophy in their soccer history and only four teams have won it more often.
Interestingly, this victory is also the third time Napoli have triumphed over the Turin giants on a neutral field, adding to their 2011-12 Coppa Italia and 2014-15 Supercoppa victories.
With the Coppa Italia now under wraps, Serie A will return on Saturday, with Torino taking on Parma in the first game back from the coronavirus-enforced holiday.
Juve’s first game back will be against Bologna on Monday, June 22, while Napoli are scheduled to take on Hellas Verona the following day.
Sarri’s team are one point ahead of Lazio at the top of the table after 26 matches, while Napoli currently sit sixth on the table.
They are already sure of a place in the Europa League group stage after Wednesday’s win, but are just nine points behind the Champions League places with 12 games left to play.
Meanwhile, the battle for Serie A top scorer continues this weekend with Lazio striker Ciro Immobile leading the pack, having scored 27 goals so far this season before the league went on forced break.
Ronaldo is currently in second place with 21 goals from his 22 appearances in Juve’s shirt – With Goal.com reports
