Bologna lifted the Coppa Italia for just the third time in the club’s history – and their first cup triumph since 1974 – after a 1-0 win over Milan at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.
Dan Ndoye grabbed what proved to be the winning goal eight minutes after half-time as I Rossoblu ended their 51-year wait for a major trophy.
Milan were chasing a domestic double following their Supercoppa Italiana earlier this season but, after a frenetic start, it was a night that ultimately belonged to Bologna boss Vincenzo Italiano.
After two Conference League final defeats and a Coppa Italia final loss with Fiorentina in 2023, the 47-year-old finally laid to rest the spectre of the ‘nearly-man’ narrative that has haunted him for so long.
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 destiny for Bologna in Rome
The two sides had faced off in the league just five days ago, with Milan winning 3-1. However, it had been three decades since their last meeting in this competition.
But the intent of both sides seemed apparent from the off as the game began in electric fashion.
Inside five minutes, the returning Rafael Leao bamboozled the Bologna defence down the left before crossing to Alex Jimenez, but the Milan forward could only send his effort high over the goal.
Moments later, Bologna had their first real chance courtesy of Santiago Castro. His flicked header from Juan Miranda’s curling cross tested the reflexes of Milan keeper Mike Maignan who saved well.
Then, shortly after, Luka Jovic, Milan’s hero in the semi-final, pounced on an error from Sam Beukema before unleashing a volley that looked destined for the back of the net.
But somehow Lukasz Skorupski did enough to prevent the ball crossing the line, while Christian Pulisic failed to make contact on the follow-up.
From there, the tempo began to settle, with Bologna enjoying the lion’s share of possession without looking particularly threatening.
But less than 10 minutes of the second-half had elapsed when the Rossoblu finally 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 sides met back in February, and the Swiss international stayed cool to jink past his man and fire past Maignan.
It sparked jubilant scenes among the Bologna fans in the stands, who knew their side were just over 35 minutes away from making history.
Milan began to wrestle back possession but it was not long before boss Sergio Conceicao rang the changes, introducing Joao Felix in a bid to get back into the contest.
On 71-minitues, Gimenez diverted Theo Hernandez’s low cross towards goal but Skorupski was on hand to make what proved to be a rudimentary stop.
At the other end, Ndoye flashed an effort wide as Bologna looked to put the tie beyond their opponents.
Deep into stoppage time, they very nearly finished the job when Jens Odgaard burst through the Milan defence, but the Dane’s shot was straight at Maignan.
In the end, it mattered little. Bologna held on to lift the cup and revel in their date with destiny, 51 years in the making.
