Bologna clinches long-awaited victory, capturing the Italian Cup after 51 years.
Celebrating Bologna's Long-Awaited Triumph
It's finally happened! Dan Ndoye scored the winning goal in the 53rd minute, propelling Bologna to a historic victory in the Coppa Italia final - their first major trophy since 1974.
Bologna had been out of the limelight, with their last appearance in a major tournament final being their second and last domestic cup triumph back in 1974. But under the guidance of Coach Vincenzo Italiano, they've made a stunning comeback. Despite Bologna's rich football history, marked by seven Italian championships in 1964, this victory was no Small Fry.
"This one's for us, the city, and our passionate fans," beamed Ndoye, speaking to Mediaset after the game. "We played with heart, scored when it mattered, and worked as a team."
The triumph was also a personal milestone for Italiano, who had lost three prior finals as a coach, including the 2023 Coppa Italia final with his previous club, Fiorentina. Wedged in his jubilant players' arms, Italiano basked in the glory of his maiden major title.
"We deserved this victory, and it's the perfect ending to an incredible year for Bologna," said Italiano. "Our fans have waited for this, and tonight, they can rejoice."
Interestingly, the last time Milan lifted the cup was back in 2003, an era that saw the club owned by late Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. Rivals Inter Milan are currently trying to defend their Serie A title and book a place in the Champions League final, while Milan is battling to secure a spot in Europe after missing out on the cup.
Sergio Conceicao's team sits eighth in Serie A, three points behind Roma, who are fighting for the Conference League spot in a crucial match against Milan coming up on Sunday.
The emotional rollercoaster of Bologna's triumph
Before the game kicked off, Bologna fans unveiled a massive banner honoring the players who won the cup in 1974 and dazzled the fans with their enthusiasm throughout the contest.
The action started swiftly, with Santiago Castro getting the first chance for Bologna in the eighth minute but missing the mark. A few minutes later, Milan almost snatched the lead when Alex Jimenez sent a low cross to Sam Beukema, but the former's shot was directly at Lukasz Skorupski, and the latter was lucky as Luka Jovic blasted the rebound right at him.
The match became increasingly tense, with chances becoming scarce. That was until Ndoye struck, tapping in a shimmying Riccardo Orsolini's rebound after being tackled by Theo Hernandez.
Despite Milan's reputation as comeback specialists, they managed just one other significant chance, in the 71st minute, thanks to a poor first touch from substitution Santiago Gimenez resulting in a simple save for Skorupski. The rest of the match saw Bologna scrappily holding off Milan's attacks before finally collapsing in exhaustion as the referee blew the final whistle.
It's safe to say that the supporters in the Stadio Olimpico couldn't contain their excitement, dancing, and shedding tears at the sight of their team's victory.
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The triumph of Bologna in the Coppa Italia final not only marked a significant revival in their football history but also secured their place among the European leagues, as they join the champions of the Champions League in the realm of sports excellence.
With this victory, Serie A, the Italian domestic football league, now witnessed two historical moments in 2025; Bologna's first major trophy since 1974 and the passionate celebration of their fans, an indicator of Italy's enduring love for football.
