Bologna lifted the Coppa Italia for simply the third time within the membership’s historical past – and their first cup triumph since 1974 – after a 1-0 win over Milan on the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.
Dan Ndoye grabbed what proved to be the profitable objective eight minutes after half-time as I Rossoblu ended their 51-year watch for a significant trophy.
Milan have been chasing a home double following their Supercoppa Italiana earlier this season however, after a frenetic begin, it was an evening that finally belonged to Bologna boss Vincenzo Italiano.
After two Convention League last defeats and a Coppa Italia last loss with Fiorentina in 2023, the 47-year-old lastly laid to relaxation the spectre of the ‘nearly-man’ narrative that has haunted him for thus lengthy.
È la nostra notte, è la nostra storia: 𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐍𝐀 𝐇𝐀 𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 ❤️💙#MilanBologna #CoppaItaliaFrecciarossa #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/Ntf0V4MYHS
— Bologna FC 1909 (@Bolognafc1909) May 14, 2025
A date with future for Bologna in Rome
The 2 sides had confronted off within the league simply 5 days in the past, with Milan profitable 3-1. Nonetheless, it had been three a long time since their final assembly on this competitors.
However the intent of each side appeared obvious from the off as the sport started in electrical style.
Inside 5 minutes, the returning Rafael Leao bamboozled the Bologna defence down the left earlier than crossing to Alex Jimenez, however the Milan ahead may solely ship his effort excessive over the objective.
Moments later, Bologna had their first actual probability courtesy of Santiago Castro. His flicked header from Juan Miranda’s curling cross examined the reflexes of Milan keeper Mike Maignan who saved properly.
Then, shortly after, Luka Jovic, Milan’s hero within the semi-final, pounced on an error from Sam Beukema earlier than unleashing a volley that seemed destined for the again of the web.
However by some means Lukasz Skorupski did sufficient to forestall the ball crossing the road, whereas Christian Pulisic didn’t make contact on the follow-up.
From there, the tempo started to settle, with Bologna having fun with the lion’s share of possession with out wanting notably threatening.
However lower than 10 minutes of the second-half had elapsed when the Rossoblu lastly managed to make their dominance pay.
53′ | DAAAAAAAAAN
SBLOCCHIAMO LA GARA CON NDOYE! 🦁#MilanBologna | 0-1 |#CoppaItaliaFrecciarossa #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/OMABpXk4xn
— Bologna FC 1909 (@Bolognafc1909) May 14, 2025
From a rebound, the ball fell to Ndoye, who grabbed the winner when the perimeters met again in February, and the Swiss worldwide stayed cool to jink previous his man and fireplace previous Maignan.
It sparked jubilant scenes among the many Bologna followers within the stands, who knew their aspect have been simply over 35 minutes away from making historical past.
Milan started to wrestle again possession but it surely was not lengthy earlier than boss Sergio Conceicao rang the adjustments, introducing Joao Felix in a bid to get again into the competition.
On 71-minitues, Gimenez diverted Theo Hernandez’s low cross in the direction of objective however Skorupski was available to make what proved to be a rudimentary cease.
On the different finish, Ndoye flashed an effort extensive as Bologna seemed to place the tie past their opponents.
Deep into stoppage time, they very almost completed the job when Jens Odgaard burst via the Milan defence, however the Dane’s shot was straight at Maignan.
Ultimately, it mattered little. Bologna held on to raise the cup and revel of their date with future, 51 years within the making.
