Bologna ended a 51-year wait for a major trophy by defeating AC Milan 1-0 to lift the Coppa Italia on Wednesday night, with Dan Ndoye etching his name into the Rossoblu history books.
AC Milan began the match strongly, nearly breaking the deadlock 10 minutes in as Lukasz Skorupski pulled off a stunning double save, but Bologna soon gained control of possession, slowing the tempo down and causing the chances to become limited for either side, with the scores remaining tied heading into the break.
This time it was Bologna that made the fast start, taking the lead just eight minutes after the restart as Ndoye fired them ahead, and the Rossoblu expertly managed the remainder of the match to secure just their third-ever Coppa Italia triumph.
SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT
Other than AC Milan’s initial chance, which drew the superb stops from Skorupski, Bologna looked largely comfortable and were certainly the more deserving of the two sides.
Bologna’s extremely high line and intense pressing was a clear issue for AC Milan throughout the 90 minutes, with their midfield players caught on the ball on several occasions as the Rossoblu were able to quickly counter forward.
Vincenzo Italiano‘s team also impressed when enjoying prolonged periods of possession, circulating the ball around the pitch with ease, with their goal ultimately coming from a well-worked passing move.
As for AC Milan, it was an extremely disappointing performance in a match that could have secured Europa League football and salvaged what has at times been a calamitous season.
The Rossoneri may have already lifted a trophy and still be in the running for a top-six spot in Serie A, but this defeat has ended any momentum they had build over the last weeks, leaving them in an unwanted position with just two Serie A fixtures remaining to push into the European spots.
AC MILAN VS. BOLOGNA HIGHLIGHTS
Dan Ndoye goal vs. AC Milan (53rd min, AC Milan 0-1 Bologna)
NDOYE FOR BOLOGNA! 🔥
The Rossoblù lead against Milan in the Coppa Italia final 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/eO8DolGciF
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) May 14, 2025
Ndoye fires Bologna into the lead!
Giovanni Fabbian drops just outside of the area and pokes the ball into the feet of Riccardo Orsolini inside the AC Milan box, but Theo Hernandez pokes the ball away just as the winger is set to strike.
The deflection falls kindly to Ndoye, who stays composed and sidesteps his marker, firing his effort past Mike Maignan into the right corner to give Bologna the lead.
MAN OF THE MATCH – DAN NDOYE
© Imago
Ndoye has scored the winner and written himself into Bologna’s history books!
The winger was the most threatening player on the pitch in the final third, showing positive signs throughout the first 45 minutes before delivering the killer blow early in the second half.
While Ndoye will take the glory, Skorupski also deserves a mention, as the goalkeeper kept Bologna level at 0-0 with a superb double save, laying the foundation for the victory.
AC MILAN VS. BOLOGNA MATCH STATS
Possession: AC Milan 54%-46% Bologna
Shots: AC Milan 7-11 Bologna
Shots on target: AC Milan 2-5 Bologna
Corners: AC Milan 3-3 Bologna
Fouls: AC Milan 11-11 Bologna
BEST STATS
2 – Dan Ndoye is only the second #Bologna player to score in a #CoppaItalia final after Giuseppe Savoldi (in that case against Palermo in 1973/74, again at Olimpico). Clawed.#MilanBologna
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) May 14, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Bologna’s attention will now return to the Serie A, where the Rossoblu will aim to carry their cup-winning momentum into the final two clashes of the season against Fiorentina and Genoa, with a European place still up for grabs.
AC Milan also remain in the race for European qualification through the league, sitting just two points behind Bologna and only three outside the top six, and they will look to move into the European spots with victories against Roma and Monza in their final two fixtures.
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