Italiano: ‘Bologna knew what Milan would do, we deserve this’ | OneFootball

Vincenzo Italiano admits Bologna ‘knew’ what Milan would do in the Coppa Italia Final, so he feels they ‘deserve’ the Coppa Italia triumph, with a special dedication for his Fiorentina past.

The Rossoblu had not even played in a Final for 51 years, winning the trophy in 1970 and 1974, and were not considered the favourites going into the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

However, Dan Ndoye struck from 11 yards just shy of the hour mark and Lukasz Skorupski made a double save in the first half, but otherwise was relatively untroubled by Milan.

This brings silverware back to Bologna, but also guarantees their qualification for the Europa League next season.

ROME, ITALY – MAY 14: General view inside the stadium as fans of Bologna display a tifo prior to the Coppa Italia Final match between AC Milan and Bologna at Stadio Olimpico on May 14, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi/Getty Images)

“After some disappointments, I think we deserved this, especially as we played a great game tonight. It was an incredible performance, we knew once again what Milan would do in the second half, so we responded,” Italiano told Sport Mediaset.

“This incredible year is crowned with this trophy, which is what these fans deserved.”

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Silverware at last for Italiano

epa12100656 Bologna head coach Vincenzo Italiano during the Italian Cup final soccer match between AC Milan and Bologna FC in Rome, Italy, 14 May 2025. EPA-EFE/FEDERICO PROIETTI

Italiano had reached three Finals with Fiorentina in the space of two years, losing the Conference League twice and the Coppa Italia once.

“Those too were three very big disappointments. I didn’t honestly think I could get straight back out there and win it, but I did. I dedicate it to these lads, who are extraordinary,” noted the coach.

“I also want to send a dedication to Joe Barone’s family, because his son sent me a message this morning and I was immensely pleased. We came so close to lifting silverware with him too and they mean a lot to me.”

Joe Barone was the director at Fiorentina who had a heart attack in the team hotel hours before a Serie A match and died in hospital a few days later in March 2024.

Italiano took over from Thiago Motta at Bologna and had not been expected to do this well, but impressed in the Champions League and Serie A before lifting the Coppa Italia trophy.

“We had a few initial difficulties, but then have been going from strength to strength, both as individuals and a unit. Now please let me go and celebrate, because this is incredible,” smiled Italiano.