Just after electing a new Pope in Rome, a new Coppa Italia champion has also been crowned in Rome. For the first time in 51 years, Bologna have now won a domestic title and a prestigious one at that. 

Bologna faced AC Milan in the Coppa Italia final, just days after losing 3-1 to the Rossoneri in the Serie A. That time, points were at stake; this time, something even bigger is at stake, and they won when it mattered. 

Bologna came into this final with an opportunity to win a domestic trophy for the first time since 1974 and also a chance to end Vincenzo Italiano’s poor record in Coppa Italia finals. He had been at this stage 3 times and failed on those occasions; now, it was time to redeem himself, and Bologna stood up to the task.

From kickoff, it was game on. Milan and Bologna locked horns in a packed stadium. Milan needed the trophy to salvage what has been a rollercoaster of a season, Bologna needed to etch their name in history books. It simply was a game of who wanted it more.

In the first half, both teams had chances at goal, but Bologna looked more likely to draw first blood, and they did. In the second half, they scored from a beautiful passage of play, with Ndoye smashing the ball past Maignan into the back of the net. Ndoye’s goal in the 53rd minute was enough to secure the trophy. Milan pushed, but they didn’t have enough in them to quench the fire that was burning in the hearts of Bologna fans and players. 

At the sound of the final whistle, it was all joy for Bologna. History has been made. Their first domestic trophy in 51 years and the first major trophy for Vincenzo Italiano. They have also secured automatic qualification to the Europa League if they fail to make the top 4 in the league standings. Moments like this show why football is a beloved sport, and it’s certainly a moment that both old and new Genoa fans will not forget.