Bologna, a famous city in northern Italy known for culinary classics like Bolognese pizza and pasta, is also a popular tourist destination. But on Wednesday night, it wasn’t the food or the sights that had the city buzzing—it was football. For the first time in over half a century, Bologna Football Club etched its name in history by lifting a major trophy.
In a thrilling final, Bologna defeated AC Milan 1–0 to win the Coppa Italia, sparking massive celebrations across the city. Though Bologna regularly competes in Italy’s top division, it hadn’t won a major title in recent memory—at least not one familiar to the current generation.
Before World War II, Bologna was a dominant force, winning the Italian league six times. After the war, they added one more league title in the 1963–64 season. But in the decades since, the rise of giants like AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Juventus left Bologna in the shadows. Their last major trophy was also the Coppa Italia, back in 1974—making this 2025 triumph a historic one, ending a 51-year drought.
In the final, held in Rome, AC Milan dominated possession, but it was Bologna who created more threatening chances. In the first half, they tested the Milan goalkeeper only once. But in the 53rd minute, Swiss forward Dan Ndoye capitalized on a rebound and calmly slotted home the match’s only goal.
Bologna nearly doubled their lead in the fifth minute of stoppage time but narrowly missed. Moments later, the final whistle blew, and a city that had waited for over five decades erupted in joy, celebrating a long-awaited return to football glory.
UA / TDS
