Bologna achieved a historic victory in Rome, securing their first Coppa Italia trophy in 50 years – and third overall – by defeating AC Milan, featuring Christian Pulisic, with a 1-0 scoreline in the final. This triumph marks a significant milestone during the ownership of Canadian businessman Joey Saputo, who acquired the club in 2014. Their previous silverware was the 1998 Intertoto Cup.
The decisive goal was scored in the second half by Dan Ndoye, who emerged as the hero for coach Vincenzo Italiano`s side. This victory is particularly sweet for Italiano, who claimed a trophy in his debut season with Bologna after experiencing defeat in three finals while managing Fiorentina. For AC Milan, who had previously won the Supercoppa Italiana in January and eliminated city rivals Inter in the Coppa Italia semifinals, this defeat means they could potentially miss out on European football next season, as Bologna`s win secures them a spot in the Europa League. Milan`s only remaining route to European competition is by finishing in the top four of Serie A to qualify for the Champions League.
The outcome also leaves the European participation of American international Christian Pulisic uncertain for the upcoming season, just two years before the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
While Bologna celebrates their first major domestic title in five decades, adding another significant achievement after qualifying for the UEFA Champions League last season, AC Milan is left to contemplate the implications of this defeat and their future direction.
Speculation suggests that the club, owned by American businessman Gerry Cardinale, may be looking for their third manager in less than a year, with reports indicating that Portuguese manager Sergio Conceicao is unlikely to continue beyond the current season. The Rossoneri face the challenge of recovering from a disappointing season, with a distinct possibility of being absent from all European competitions in the 2025-26 campaign.
Their current position in Serie A, eighth place, means they must secure crucial points in the remaining matches to have any hope of qualifying for European football next season.
Adrian Whitmore