In a tense Coppa Italia final in Rome, Bologna etched their name into history with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AC Milan, courtesy of a moment of magic from returning hero Dan Ndoye. The Swiss forward’s second-half strike ended the Rossoblu’s half-century wait for silverware, delivering their first major trophy since 1974.
The 24-year-old forward, who had missed Bologna’s last four matches through injury, proved the difference-maker in the 53rd minute with a goal of sheer quality. Shrugging off a defender with clever footwork, Ndoye created space before slotting home with ice-cool precision – a finish that reportedly boosted his market value to €25 million.
Bologna 1-0 AC Milan
The Rossoneri’s defensive frailties proved costly as they failed to build on their 3-1 league victory over Bologna just days earlier. Despite dominating possession, Stefano Pioli’s side lacked cutting edge in the final third, extending their own trophy drought that now stretches back to 2003.
This triumph marks Bologna’s third Coppa Italia title (1970, 1974, 2025) and completes a remarkable resurgence for the Emilia-Romagna outfit. Their last Serie A crown came in 1964, but this victory signals their return to Italian football’s elite after decades in the wilderness.
As Bologna’s players celebrated with their travelling fans at the Stadio Olimpico, the result served as a stark reminder of football’s cyclical nature – where historic clubs can rise again, and giants can falter when it matters most.