Coppa glory for Napoli
Juventus' hopes of securing an Italian double of league and cup went up in smoke on Sunday as Napoli beat them 2-0 to win the Coppa Italia for the first time in 25 years.
Unbeaten Juve won the Italian title, but Napoli claimed the cup for only the fourth time in their history - and the first time since 1987. Edinson Cavani, from the penalty spot, and Marek Hamsik late on when the Old Lady were chasing the game, did the damage.
Napoli, who last tasted success with the 1990 league title, started positively,
Juan Camilo Zuniga forcing a save from Marco Storari in the first minute and
Cavani shooting wide moments later from Zuniga's corner.
Juve were struggling to get a foothold in the match and allowed Ezequiel
Lavezzi the chance to strike at goal in the 10th minute only for his shot to
squirm wide.
Juve's first opportunity came in the 17th minute, Morgan De Sanctis with a
diving save to deny Claudio Marchisio.
Napoli were the real attacking force though, with Cavani just failing to get on
the end of Lavezzi's teasing cross and Gokhan Inler shooting high and wide from
30 yards.
Alessandro Del Piero's first real sight of the target came just before the break, his
free-kick kept out by De Sanctis.
He tried his luck again five minutes into the second half but was well wide.
Napoli broke the deadlock after 63 minutes, Storari taking down Lavezzi in the
area and Cavani converting from the spot.
Juve's best chance of an equaliser fell to Simone Pepe, but once again De
Sanctis was up to the task.
Hamsik put the result beyond doubt in the 83rd minute, Goran Pandev providing
the assist following a brisk counter.
All that was left was for Quagliarella to see red for an elbow on Salvatore
Aronica, leaving Napoli celebrating and 37-year-old Del Piero bowing out on a
low note.