Bologna end 51-year wait for a major trophy by beating AC Milan to win Italian Cup
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
Dan Ndoye returned from injury to score the only goal and help Bologna to their first Italian Cup since 1974. The club, which is owned by Canadian Joey Saputo, has only won two second-division titles in between.
It was also coach Vincenzo Italiano's first win in a final, having lost back-to-back Europa Conference League title matches while in charge of Fiorentina and finishing runner-up in the 2023 Italian Cup.
'They were three hefty disappointments,' Italiano told broadcaster Mediaset. 'I didn't think I could immediately come back and get my own back. But we succeeded and I'm happy.
'I add an important trophy to my mantlepiece and I truly dedicate it to the guys, who were extraordinary.'
Italiano had been flung in the air by his players in celebration immediately after the final whistle. Many of them were in tears of joy, much like some of the thousands of Bologna fans in the stands.
And the 47-year-old coach was eager to get back to the festivities.
'Now let me go and celebrate, because this is something really incredible,' Italiano said with a smile at the end of his television interview.
It is Italiano's first season at Bologna after replacing Thiago Motta, who left to Juventus after steering the team to their first-ever Champions League qualification. Motta was fired by Juventus earlier this season.
The result secured Bologna a spot in next season's Europa League and left Milan with the very real likelihood of missing out on European competition.
It could spell the end of Sérgio Conceiçao's short stint in charge of the Rossoneri, with Milan eighth in Serie A after a disappointing season.
Both teams came to Rome looking to end an Italian Cup drought, as Milan last lifted the trophy 22 years ago — losing two finals in the intervening years.
The match was played at a high tempo from the start and both goalkeepers were called into making impressive saves in the opening 10 minutes.
Tension threatened to boil over toward the end of the first half and Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson was left bloodied with what looked like a broken nose after a sliding tackle on Rafael Leão, who caught him on the face with his leg as he was upended.
Bologna broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half. Riccardo Orsolini was tackled by Theo Hernández in the area but the ball fell to Ndoye, who carved out some space before curling into the right side of the net.
The 24-year-old Switzerland international had missed Bologna's previous three matches with a thigh injury.
Milan had fought back from a goal down to beat Bologna 3-1 in the Italian league on Friday, but there was to be no such comeback in Rome.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
Al-Ahli book Super Cup final date with Al-Nassr
Al-Ahli thrashed Al-Qadsiah 5-1 in the semifinal of the Saudi Super Cup on Wednesday to book a showdown on Saturday with Al-Nassr. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport In the traditional curtain-raiser to the Saudi Pro League season, the Asian champions recovered from an early setback after their rivals from Dammam took an eighth-minute lead. Christopher Bonsu Baah, signed by Al-Qadsiah from Belgian club Genk in the summer, cut in on the left side and the Ghanaian international chipped a perfect cross into the six-yard box for Gaston Alvarez to head home. Al-Ahli were level just four minutes later. A long throw caused chaos in the area and Franck Kessie swept the loose ball home. The Greens took the lead in the 28th minute. A raised arm in the box led to a penalty and Ivan Toney stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot. Just three minutes later it was 3-1 thanks to some fine wing play from Riyad Mahrez. The former Manchester City star twisted and turned on the right edge of the area and crossed for French midfielder Enzo Millot — who was making his debut — to head home from close range. It got worse for Al-Qadsiah just before the break as Bonsu Baah was red carded for a reckless tackle. Then, in added time in the first half, the game was virtually over as a contest as Kessie scored his second and his team's fourth. Mahrez, on the other side this time, floated over another perfect cross and the former AC Milan man made no mistake. More misery was inflicted just after the hour as Nacho Fernandez put into his own net. Al-Ahli, who have won the trophy once, will take on Al-Nassr, twice winners of the cup, at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday.
Al Arabiya
5 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Italian football coaches call for Israel to be suspended by UEFA and FIFA over Gaza war
The Italian Football Coaches' Association is pushing for Israel to be suspended from international competition over the war in Gaza. Ahead of Italy's crucial World Cup qualifiers against Israel in the next two months, the AIAC says 'Israel must stop. Soccer must also take action.' For the latest updates on the Israel-Palestine conflict, visit our dedicated page. The AIAC has written a formal letter to the Italian football federation, to be forwarded to European and world soccer's governing bodies, calling for Israel to be suspended. 'The AIAC Board of Directors unanimously believes that, given the daily massacres, which have also resulted in hundreds of deaths among managers, coaches, and athletes … it is legitimate, necessary, indeed a duty, to place at the center of federation talks the request, to be submitted to UEFA and FIFA, for the temporary exclusion of Israel from sporting competitions,' the letter concludes. 'Because the pain of the past cannot cloud anyone's conscience and humanity.' Italy is set to play Israel on neutral turf in Debrecen, Hungary on Sept. 8, before hosting the return match in Udine on Oct. 14. 'We could just focus on playing, looking the other way. But we believe that is not right,' AIAC vice president Giancarlo Camolese said. The Azzurri also played Israel in Udine last October in a Nations League match that saw protests before and during the game and intense security measures, including snipers on the roof of the stadium. Since then the situation has continued to deteriorate with the Palestinian death toll from the 22-month war passing 62,000 earlier this month. 'The world is in flames. Many people like the Palestinians are suffering,' AIAC vice president Francesco Perondi said. 'Indifference is unacceptable.'
Arab News
10 hours ago
- Arab News
‘Magic' Grealish will come good, says Everton teammate Tarkowski
LIVERPOOL: Jack Grealish has been backed to provide the 'magic' to help usher in a new era for Everton. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Toffees face Brighton on Sunday in the first Premier League game at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium, having moved from their Goodison Park home after 133 years. And defender James Tarkowski says new signing Grealish is the perfect choice to add sparkle to the historic occasion and help the club this season. The 29-year-old Grealish has joined on loan from Manchester City after struggling for regular first-team opportunities at Etihad Stadium and losing his England place. He made his Everton debut off the bench in Monday night's 1-0 loss at Leeds United, where a controversial Tarkowski handball resulted in an 84th-minute penalty winner for Lukas Nmecha. But the former Aston Villa captain, who cost City $135 million when he signed in 2021, and won three Premier League titles and the Champions League, now has the chance to revive his career with David Moyes' side. Everton looked short of attacking quality as they struggled to create chances against Leeds. But center-back Tarkowski believes Grealish can make a difference as the club look to add further signings before the transfer window closes. 'We all know Jack's quality. We want to get him on the pitch as much as we can,' said the 32-year-old recently. 'I'm sure we'll see him a lot more. I've played against him many a time so I know he's quality. He'll take the ball anywhere, carry it, dribble, create and pass and physically he's one of the strongest I've played against, he's incredibly strong. 'We'll give him the ball as much as we can and trust him to go create and use his magic. We've seen it at Villa, we've seen it at City and hopefully we'll see it here. 'For sure (he is a matchwinner). Hopefully he hits his best form at our place and he'll be a great asset for us.'
