Italy was among the hardest hit countries (more than 34,000 dead) but the health situation is now satisfactory and, like almost all sectors of the Peninsula, elite football has been able to resume. He did it under special conditions, of course, and it was in the silence of the closed door that the semi-finals came back last weekend (Juventus-AC Milan and Naples-Inter Milan) , the first matches played in three months.
Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora had hoped that the resumption would be accessible to the greatest number of viewers, in the clear, and it is for this reason that the Cup has been privileged. Broadcast on the Rai, the two return semi-finals respectively attracted more than eight million and more than seven million viewers.
And Wednesday, the duel that will take place at the Olympic Stadium in Rome the Juventus of Cristiano Ronaldo and the Napoli of Dries Mertens, could bring together more than 10 million tifosi in front of the screens.
Best enemy
The trophy will be brandished by the victorious captain in front of empty stands and in the absence of the President of the Republic Sergio Matarella. But the gesture will mean that football has resumed its course and the Italian Cup will have fulfilled its role and paved the way for the resumption of Serie A, this weekend
This final, which is played 50 years to the day after "the match of the century", as the Italians designate the semi-final of the World Cup won by their selection against Germany in 1970 (4-3 AD), also lack no sporting issues either.
The two coaches, Maurizio Sarri for Juventus and Gennaro Gattuso for Naples, are thus looking for their first trophy in Italy. The match also has the air of revenge for Napoli and its fans, who have never really forgiven Sarri, their former coach and idol, for joining Juve, the hated rival.
Three times second behind Juve in the last four seasons, Naples is also the best enemy of the Turin club, and even deprived it of the Cup in their last match in the final, in 2012.
But opposite, there is with Cristiano Ronaldo a real specialist in the finals. The Portuguese, very average Friday against AC Milan, disputed 30 and won 21.
The quintuple Ballon d'Or won just about everything but not the Italian Cup and even remains in a defeat in the final last season, against Lazio Rome. And he is not one to stumble over the same obstacle twice.
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- Serie A fixtures and results