Dan Ndoye’s second-half strike propelled Bologna to a historic 1-0 victory over AC Milan in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, securing the club’s first major trophy in 51 years and a coveted place in next season’s Europa League.
The decisive goal arrived eight minutes after the restart. A well-timed tackle by Milan defender Theo Hernandez on Bologna’s Riccardo Orsolini inadvertently sent the ball into the path of an unmarked Ndoye, who calmly slotted home from close range.
This triumph marks Bologna’s first major piece of silverware since they last won the Coppa Italia in 1974. The final was a closely contested affair, a contrast to the Serie A encounter between the two sides just last Friday, where Milan had secured a dominant 3-1 home victory. Both clubs entered the final aiming to salvage what had been largely disappointing domestic league campaigns, with Bologna sitting seventh and Milan eighth in Serie A with only two matches remaining.
The first half of the final was a fast-paced, goalless period, punctuated by dangerous opportunities and sharp goalkeeping at both ends. AC Milan’s Mike Maignan was forced into an early reflex save from a Juan Miranda header. Minutes later, Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski executed an impressive double stop, initially saving an unfortunate deflection off his teammate Sam Beukema before denying Milan’s Luka Jovic on the rebound.
The match also saw several physical incidents, with Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson requiring treatment for a nosebleed after a collision while tackling Rafael Leao. Late in the game, Bologna defender Sam Beukema also needed medical attention and bandaging for a head injury after clashing with a teammate.
Following Ndoye’s goal, AC Milan struggled to generate significant attacking momentum, with their efforts to find an equaliser largely neutralised by a committed Bologna defence. The victory provides a memorable and successful conclusion to Bologna’s season.
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