AC Milan’s ambitions of ending their season on a high were crushed in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday night, as they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to a resilient Bologna side.
The match, held at a packed stadium filled with anticipation, witnessed a pivotal moment in the 53rd minute. Swiss international Dan Ndoye seized the opportunity after exploiting a gap in Milan’s defense, skillfully maneuvering past two defenders before calmly placing the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Mike Maignan. His goal sent Bologna fans into wild celebrations, marking their club’s first major silverware since 1998.
Beyond just winning the trophy, Bologna’s triumph also guarantees them a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League, capping off a remarkable campaign under their current manager.
AC Milan, on the other hand, appeared lackluster and struggled to impose themselves in the match. With high stakes involved—particularly the hope of automatic qualification into European competition—the Rossoneri were expected to deliver more.
Unfortunately, their frontline failed to make a significant impact. Despite some late attempts in the second half to break through Bologna’s disciplined backline, Milan could not find an equalizer. The frustration was evident on the faces of both players and fans alike as the clock wound down.
The loss compounds Milan’s problems this season, as they currently sit in 8th place on the Serie A table, trailing behind Roma, Lazio, and Juventus with only two league fixtures remaining. Their chances of qualifying for any European tournament now hinge on the results of other teams.
Dan Ndoye was unanimously praised as the standout player of the match. Apart from scoring the decisive goal, he was instrumental in creating opportunities for his team, registering a match-high three key chances. He also drew more fouls than any other player on the pitch, underlining his relentless drive and tactical sharpness. His performance earned him the Man of the Match award.
AC Milan must now regroup quickly as they face a crucial must-win encounter against Roma on Sunday. A win is essential if they are to keep alive their fading hopes of European football next sea
son.