Bologna secures Coppa Italia crown
Bologna claimed just its third Coppa Italia title after Dan Ndoye's second-half strike proved decisive in a 1-0 final win over AC Milan.
Ndoye pounced on an opportune rebound to score what turned out to be the winner in the 53rd minute, as Bologna revelled in Coppa glory for the first time since 1974.
The triumph also marked something of a redemption story for Bologna manager Vincenzo Italiano, who had lost three finals in the last two seasons as Fiorentina boss, including the Coppa in 2022-2023 against Inter.
Bologna's reward comes not only in the form of a first major trophy in 51 years, with this victory at the Stadio Olimpico sending them into next season's Europa League.
In an entertaining opening, Alex Jimenez miscued an early chance from Rafael Leao's fourth-minute cutback, while Mike Maignan was forced into a smart save by Santiago Castro's header at the other end.
Bologna survived another scare as goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski clawed away when Luka Jovic pounced on Sam Beukema's mistake, with Christian Pulisic unable to capitalise on the follow-up.
Italiano's side dominated possession from then on, and it was finally rewarded after the interval as Ndoye side-stepped a tackle before seeing a fortuitous rebound fall his way to convert past Maignan.
A surging run from Youssouf Fofana was the closest Milan came to an immediate response before substitute Santiago Gimenez fired tamely at the untested Skorupski.
Ndoye flashed wide in another show of Bologna's continued counter-attacking threat, though Italiano soon sent on defensive reinforcements to see out a landmark moment in Rossoblu history.
