Bologna defeats AC Milan to win Coppa Italia after 51 years

Bologna pulled off a stunning 1-0 victory over AC Milan at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night to win the 2025 Coppa Italia — their first in over five decades.

The Rossoblu produced a spirited display to beat the seven-time UEFA Champions League winners, lifting the trophy for the first time since 1974 and only the third time in the club’s history.

Vincenzo Italiano’s side pressed with intensity and purpose from the first whistle, overwhelming a lacklustre Milan team that never looked like they were playing a cup final.

Dan Ndoye scored the winning goal early in the second half. After Milan failed to clear their lines, the ball broke kindly to Ndoye inside the box, and the winger calmly slotted past Mike Maignan.

Bologna’s victory came despite doubts about their ability to perform without former manager Thiago Motta and key players like Riccardo Calafiori and Joshua Zirkzee. Questions had also been raised about Italiano, who had lost two major finals — the Coppa Italia and the Europa Conference League — with Fiorentina.

But on this occasion, Italiano’s side got it right. From start to finish, they were sharper, hungrier, and more cohesive than a Milan team that failed to register any significant attacking threat. Key players like Rafael Leao, Theo Hernandez, Christian Pulisic, and Luka Jovic all failed to deliver

For Milan, the loss means their Coppa Italia drought will stretch into a 23rd year. The trophy could have salvaged something from a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, but the performance only deepened concerns.

Manager Sergio Conceicao is widely expected to step down after a disappointing season, and questions will be asked of the club’s leadership after another year without silverware.

Bologna, currently seventh in Serie A and just two points behind fourth-placed Juventus, now have a shot at capping off a fairytale season with Champions League qualification.