Bologna claimed their first major trophy since 1974 with a 1-0 victory over AC Milan in the 2025 Coppa Italia final at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
Dan Ndoye scored the decisive goal, smashing home from close range after a scramble in the box. The win secures Bologna a place in next season’s Europa League, while Milan’s European hopes remain in doubt.
Captained by Scotland’s Lewis Ferguson, Bologna looked the more determined side. Ferguson, a former Hamilton and Aberdeen midfielder, narrowly missed in the first half, firing over from distance.
Milan threatened before the break, but Bologna keeper Lukasz Skorupski pulled off a brilliant double save, including a close-range stop from Luka Jovic.
Ndoye’s strike proved enough to end Bologna’s 51-year silverware drought and delivered a long-awaited first major title for manager Vincenzo Italiano, who had lost three previous finals with Fiorentina.
“We deserved this, especially with how well we played tonight,” said the 47-year-old. “It’s been an incredible season, and this cup is for our fans.”
Italiano succeeded Thiago Motta last summer after Motta left for Juventus, only to be sacked in March. Bologna’s triumph breaks a 17-year stronghold on the Coppa Italia by Juventus, Inter, Napoli, and Lazio.
Milan boss Sergio Conceicao, whose team sits eighth in Serie A, admitted: “I’m reflecting on what went right and wrong. We’ll finish the season with dignity and discuss the future later.”
