- Bologna won the Coppa Italia for the third time in their history, defeating Milan 1-0 in the final
- Dan Ndoye scored the decisive goal in the 53rd minute, securing a place in next season’s Europa League for the Rossoblu
- Milan suffered their fourth consecutive final defeat in the Coppa Italia and missed out on their sixth title in the competition
Key Takeaways
Bologna are the winners of the Coppa Italia this season. In the final at Stadio Olimpico, they defeated Milan 1-0, securing the trophy for only the third time in their history, following their triumphs in 1970 and 1974. Dan Ndoye scored the decisive goal in the 53rd minute, ensuring a memorable victory for Vincenzo Italiano’s side.
Just in case you didn't know.
WE ARE THE COPPA ITALIA 2024/25 WINNERS ❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙!!#SiMuoveLaCittà #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/UbmQgizPPa— Bologna FC 1909 (@BolognaFC1909en) May 14, 2025
This triumph means Bologna are guaranteed a place in the Europa League group stage next season, while Milan will have to secure European qualification through their Serie A campaign, where they currently sit in eighth place. The victory is also special for head coach Vincenzo Italiano, who had previously lost three finals with Fiorentina – one in this tournament and two in the Europa Conference League.
For Milan, the defeat was a painful one, as they missed the chance to win their sixth Coppa Italia and their first since 2003. It also marked their fourth consecutive final defeat in the competition, extending their record to ten losses in Coppa Italia finals. Bologna, however, remain flawless in such matches – three finals, three victories. Their path to the title included wins over Empoli (3-0 and 2-1), Atalanta (1-0), and Monza (4-0).
The final started with both teams showing attacking intent. The first chance came in the 4th minute when Rafael Leao broke into the box and passed to Jimenez, who failed to connect properly, sending the ball wide. Bologna responded immediately, with Mike Maignan making an excellent save at the feet of Riccardo Orsolini. Shortly after, the Milan goalkeeper produced another great stop, but the play was ruled offside.
In the 10th minute, Lukasz Skorupski kept his net intact with a brilliant save. Beukema nearly scored an own goal while attempting to clear a cross, and though the ball fell to Luka Jovic, his shot from close range went straight at the goalkeeper.
After these missed opportunities, the game entered a quieter phase, with the next real chance arriving in the 26th minute when Maignan comfortably saved a Juan Miranda shot. Bologna were the more active side in the closing minutes of the first half, with Lewis Ferguson missing a long-range effort in the 35th minute, and Emil Holm failing to beat Maignan with a header in the 43rd.
Milan’s players were frustrated with the referee for not punishing Ferguson and Beukema for rough challenges, but their protests were ignored, and both players avoided expulsions.
Milan’s pressure continued at the start of the second half, but it was Bologna who struck first. In the 53rd minute, Orsolini received the ball on the edge of the box, right on the verge of offside. Theo Hernandez managed to block his attempt, but the ball fell perfectly for Ndoye, who smashed it into the net, sending Bologna’s fans into a frenzy.
Milan responded, but neither Leao nor Jovic could find the equalizer. Coach Stefano Pioli introduced Santiago Jimenez, but his first effort was also off target. Castro tried his luck with a long-range shot but missed the goal. In the final minutes, Milan pushed for an equalizer, but their efforts were fruitless, confirming Bologna’s triumph.
Lorenzo De Silvestri, Bologna’s 36-year-old captain, who did not feature in the match, was given the honor of lifting the trophy first – the most prestigious silverware for the seven-time Italian champions in half a century.