Gattuso triumphs amid tragedy

Weeks after sister's death, Napoli coach thanks 'God of football' for cup victory

Gennaro Gattuso hailed the "God of football" after he lifted his first coaching trophy as Napoli beat Juventus 4-2 on penalties to win the Italian Cup for the sixth time on Wednesday. 

The final had ended 0-0 in an empty Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Paulo Dybala and Danilo both missed their spot-kicks for record 13-time Italian Cup champion Juventus, with Arkadiusz Milik slotting in the winner for Napoli past veteran keeper Gianluigi Buffon.

It is the southerners' first silverware since 2014, and a maiden coaching trophy for Gattuso, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti in December.

Former Italy World Cup winner Gattuso's first coaching success comes after the recent death of his 37-year-old sister Francesca from a rare illness.

"In life you cannot accept some things, but football has given me a lot and a great passion," said the 42-year-old former AC Milan favorite.

"I feel I have a great responsibility. I know I can't give up and I have never done in my career. I saw a team tonight that wanted to win, we deserved it. There's a God of football, who makes you reap what you've sown. I'm proud of my lads. Now we must continue with this spirit also in the championship, to recover the disadvantage."

Napoli has been reborn under Gattuso and is now sixth in the Italian league standings as it targets the Champions League qualification places when Serie A returns this weekend after a three-month absence due to the coronavirus.

But the defeat was a worrying sign for Maurizio Sarri's Juve, which also lost the Italian Super Cup final last December to Lazio.

The 61-year-old former Napoli coach had also been chasing his first coaching trophy in Italy, and second in his career after leading Chelsea to the Europa League last season.

"There is disappointment for the lads, for the club, for the fans," said Sarri. "At this moment we lack brilliance to make the game dangerous, and without that brilliance, it becomes more difficult."