Igor Kolyvanov, once a forward for the Russian national team and a former player for Italian clubs Bologna and Foggia, shared his expectations ahead of the Italian Cup final pitting Atalanta against Juventus. In a comments thread on ODDS.ru, he expressed hope that Atalanta, featuring Russian forward Alexei Miranchuk, would enjoy a bit of luck in Rome.
He described the match as a near toss-up, estimating the chances as evenly split. The veteran believes Miranchuk could influence the outcome in both the Italian Cup final and the Europa League final. He hopes the player will start, and perhaps score or provide a crucial assist to decide the clash. The pundit anticipated a game with moments of aerial duels and decisive plays, noting that opportunities in such high-stakes fixtures are usually scarce, especially when facing Juventus. He underscored that a single moment could tilt the balance in favor of one side.
Kolyvanov also pointed to Juventus’ struggles in Serie A, suggesting that Atalanta might have the edge in terms of personnel and performance. He described Atalanta as a team with more attacking presence and creative energy than the Bianconeri, while cautioning that the Italian Cup final may not deliver a flamboyant display given Juventus’ defensive approach. The argument centered on the idea that a pragmatic, compact Juventus could neutralize open play, forcing the match to hinge on set plays or a moment of individual brilliance.
The Italian Cup final was scheduled to take place in Rome on Wednesday, May 15, with a kickoff at 22:00 Moscow time. The match would be watched by fans across the continent as a decisive test of season-long form and squad depth, with both clubs aiming to secure silverware and momentum heading into the rest of the campaign. This context shaped the expectations around Miranchuk’s role and Juventus’ defensive discipline.
There was also anticipation surrounding Miranchuk’s potential impact on the Europa League final, where he would wear the Russian flag with pride. The coverage highlighted how the player’s performance in Rome could reinforce his reputation on the European stage and influence perceptions of his club’s transfer and tactical philosophy in the months ahead.