Having built quite a reputation in Turin for scoring on the big occasions, it is fitting that Mario Mandzukic rounds off his first season with Juventus by celebrating his 30th birthday while gearing up to play the club’s Coppa Italia final tonight against Milan.
The striker’s predatory finishing, allied with an awareness to pick out and set up his team-mates, as well as a willingness to put his body on the line both in attack and defence, have made him a firm favourite among the Bianconeri faithful this term.
Goals against Milan, Manchester City (both home and away), Fiorentina (idem.), and Lazio are just some of the key moments in which Mario has shaped the course of colossal encounters, ensuring they culminate in victory for Juventus.
What’s more, the Croatia international showed that he certainly knows how to celebrate by starring in the club’s Christmas carol singing earlier in the season and supporters will be cheering him on again with added verve on his special day out in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico tonight.
Everyone at Juventus Football Club would like to wish Mario many happy returns and all the best for the cup final.