Player Ratings: Milan 0-1 Bologna – Ndoye for First Title in 50 Years | OneFootball

Bologna squeezed past AC Milan 1-0 in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final at Stadio Olimpico to win their first trophy in over 50 years. As for the Rossoneri, they went home empty-handed, probably marking the end of Sergio Conceicao’s tenure.

Though buoyed by four consecutive wins in Serie A, Milan knew it would all be in vain if they failed to claim their first Coppa Italia trophy since 2003. However, the signs were ominous, as they had lost nine of their 14 previous appearances in this fixture.

On the other hand, Bologna took the Olimpico field determined to take home their first Coppa Italia title since 1974. Vincenzo Italiano’s side had an added motive after a 3-1 defeat at San Siro last Friday compromised their top-four quest in Serie A.

Luka Jovic wasted the best chance in the first half as he sent a close-range shot straight into Lukasz Skorupski. Milan failed to create any goalscoring opportunity for the rest of the game, and Dan Ndoye punished Rossoneri’s miserable performance in Rome.

In the end, Bologna halted a long-awaited title drought at the highest level, while Milan likely squandered their best chance to secure European football for next season.

Milan (3-4-2-1)

Mike Maignan – 6.5

His superb first-half saves helped Milan enter the break on level terms. However, Ndoye gave him no chance.

Fikayo Tomori – 6

Booked for an over-zealous challenge toward the end of the first half, the ex-Chelsea star seemed insecure, especially when called to defend against Ndoye.

Matteo Gabbia – 6.5

The Italian kept the Rossoneri back three in line and dominated Santiago Castro, preventing the Argentine striker from threatening Maignan’s goal.

Strahinja Pavlovic – 7

Always on the edge of a foul, the towering defender was the best-performing Milan center-back tonight. Ideal position and inch-perfect tackles!

Theo Hernandez – 6

Defensive-wise, it was a splendid night for the Frenchman as he made light work of Riccardo Orsolini. However, his trademark runs down the flank were nowhere to be seen.

Youssouf Fofana – 6.5

Decent at the back, often positioning himself well to intercept danger and protect the defense. However, unconvincing going forward, offering little in terms of creativity.

Tijjani Reijnders – 5.5

Got the game off to a sluggish start but grew into the contest to become a linchpin between midfield and attack. His passing range helped Milan gain control after falling behind, yet he wasn’t as eventful as last Friday.

Alejandro Jimenez – 6

Occasional bursts of pace showed what he is capable of, yet he lacked precision in the final ball, while his crosses never found their targets.

Christian Pulisic – 5.5

No one can blame the USMNT for a lack of trying, but he couldn’t make the difference, cheaply giving away possession more than once.

Rafael Leao – 5.5

Despite flashes of brilliance, the Rossoneri talisman seemed too nonchalant, as if he didn’t recognize the size of the occasion.

Luka Jovic – 5.5

It’s unforgivable for a Milan striker to waste a chance like that. All he had to do was to miss Skorupski, and he couldn’t do it.

Substitutes

Kyle Walker – 3

Joao Felix – 3.5

Santiago Gimenez – 3

Samuel Chukwueze – N/A

Tammy Abraham – N/A

Bologna (4-2-3-1)

Lukasz Skorupski – 7

Made incredible back-to-back saves early on to prevent an own goal and thwart Jovic from barely a few meters out.

Emil Holm – 6.5

A lack of composure in critical moments frequently blew up all the good things the offensive-minded full-back did tonight. Often struggled against Leao!

Sam Beukema – 7

Had Skorupski to bail him out in that critical 10th minute, but everything other than that sloppy piece of defending was spot on.

Jhon Lucumi – 6.5

A strong and commanding presence at the back. Took one for the team with a tactical foul on Pulisic that cost him a yellow card.

Juan Miranda – 7

Another lively performance from the Spanish left-back, who offered unparalleled energy down the flank and supported his frontline with purpose.

Remo Freuler – 7

Read the game well and rarely looked troubled. Superb in shielding the back line and breaking up Milan’s rhythm in the engine room.

Lewis Ferguson – 6.5

Though impressive in possession, the Bologna captain was erratic in the front third, often missing the final pass, not to mention those two wayward shots in the first half.

Riccardo Orsolini – 5.5

Completely cut off from the rest of the pack for the entire first half, Orsolini had a frustrating night in Rome as Theo Hernandez had him dominated all game.

Giovanni Fabbian – 5

Unable to impact the play, the highly-rated youngster fared well in the link-up play but did nothing noteworthy in the opposition’s third.

Dan Ndoye – 7

Following a relatively quiet first half, the Swiss winger opened the scoring with a thumping finish eight minutes after the break.

Santiago Castro – 5.5

Recently back from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, the Argentine fought valiantly for every ball but never did anything to make Maignan sweat.

Substitutes

Tommaso Pobega – 6

Nicolo Casale – 7

Davide Calabria – 6.5