Coppa Italia Final Preview : AC Milan vs Bologna

The grand finale of the 2024/25 Coppa Italia is set to unfold on May 14th at the iconic Stadio Olimpico in Rome, where AC Milan and Bologna will clash for the coveted trophy. This highly anticipated encounter presents a significant opportunity for both clubs. For Milan, it’s a chance to add another title to their storied history and potentially secure a crucial path to European competition. For Bologna, this match marks a historic milestone as their first appearance in the Coppa Italia final in over half a century . The neutral venue of Rome promises an impartial battleground, setting the stage for a thrilling contest fueled by the passionate support of both sets of fans.  

Road to the Final

AC Milan‘s Journey

Milan enters the final with a recent morale-boosting 3-1 victory over Bologna in Serie A, a match that served as a prelude to the cup decider at the San Siro. A brace from Santiago Gimenez and a goal by Christian Pulisic secured the win for the Rossoneri, providing a psychological advantage heading into the final. However, their overall league campaign has been marked by inconsistency, placing them in 8th position in Serie A with 60 points after 36 matches. Their recent league form, showing a mix of wins and a loss (W-W-W-L-W) , underscores the importance of the Coppa Italia as a potential gateway to European football for a club of Milan’s stature.  

Milan’s journey through the Coppa Italia saw them deliver impressive performances. They began by overcoming Sassuolo with a dominant 6-1 victory in the round of 16. This was followed by a 3-1 win against Roma in the quarter-finals. Their semi-final clash against arch-rivals Inter Milan was a highlight, culminating in a decisive 4-1 aggregate victory, including a commanding 3-0 win in the second leg. This emphatic derby win undoubtedly provided a significant boost in morale and showcased their ability to perform under pressure in high-stakes cup matches.  

Bologna‘s Path

Bologna, despite a strong Serie A season where they currently sit in 7th place with 62 points after 36 games, will be aiming to bounce back from their recent defeat to Milan. Riccardo Orsolini was the scorer for Bologna in that match. Their recent league form (L-D-D-W-L) suggests a slight dip in momentum leading up to the final. Nevertheless, their higher league position reflects a more consistent and impressive overall season, highlighting their progress and competitiveness.  

Bologna’s path to the final commenced with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Monza. This was followed by a narrow 1-0 win against Atalanta. Their semi-final encounter against Empoli resulted in a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate triumph, with a 3-0 away win in the first leg and a 2-1 home victory in the second. Reaching this final is a momentous occasion for Bologna, marking their first appearance in the Coppa Italia final since 1974, a 51-year wait.

Historical Context

Bologna‘s Coppa Italia History

Bologna’s last appearance in a Coppa Italia final was in 1974, where they defeated Palermo to lift the trophy. They also won the competition in 1970 against Torino. The fact that they have waited over five decades to reach another final underscores the historical significance of this match for the club and their supporters. The desire to replicate the success of 1974 and bring a major trophy back to Bologna after such a long time will undoubtedly be a powerful motivator for the team.

AC Milan‘s Coppa Italia Record

AC Milan has won the Coppa Italia five times, with their last victory dating back to 2003. Despite their rich history, their record in the Coppa Italia includes nine final defeats, with their most recent final appearance ending in a 4-0 loss to Juventus in 2018. For a club of Milan’s stature, a wait of over two decades for a Coppa Italia title is a significant drought they will be eager to end, especially after their impressive semi-final performance against their city rivals. This final also marks a unique occasion as it will be the first time AC Milan and Bologna have ever met in the Coppa Italia final.

Head-to-Head Encounters

The head-to-head encounters between AC Milan and Bologna in the 2024/25 season have been closely contested. They have faced each other twice in Serie A, with both teams securing a victory. Milan’s recent 3-1 home win on May 9th followed Bologna’s 2-1 victory at their home ground on February 27th. This even split in results this season suggests that the final will be a tight affair. Looking at the overall head-to-head record, AC Milan holds a historical advantage with 28 wins compared to Bologna’s 6, with 10 draws in 44 matches. Milan has also scored more goals overall in these encounters (103 vs 79). However, Bologna’s strong performance this season indicates that this historical dominance might not be as significant in the upcoming final.

Key Players and Absences

AC Milan

AC Milan will be boosted by the return of key attacker Rafael Leao from suspension. His pace and dribbling ability on the wing will be a major asset for Milan. Christian Pulisic has been in excellent form, having scored in the recent league match against Bologna. Santiago Gimenez will also be looking to continue his scoring streak after his brace in the same game. There is optimism that Youssouf Fofana and Fikayo Tomori will recover from their respective issues in time for the final. However, Riccardo Sottil and Warren Bondo are likely to miss the game due to injury. The availability of Luka Jovic and Joao Felix in attack will also provide Sergio Conceicao with options.

Bologna

Bologna will rely on the attacking threat of Riccardo Orsolini, who scored in the recent league encounter. Thijs Dallinga, who scored in the Coppa Italia semi-final, will likely lead the line for Bologna. The midfield partnership of Lewis Ferguson and Remo Freuler will be crucial for Bologna. However, Bologna might be without key attacking players Dan Ndoye and Emil Holm due to injury, which could impact their offensive options. Estanis Pedrola and Jens Odgaard are also confirmed to be out. Other players like Giovanni Fabbian and Nikola Moro could play important roles.

Tactical Outlook

Based on recent reports, AC Milan manager Sergio Conceicao is likely to continue with a 3-4-3 formation, but is flexible and can change to a 4-2-3-1, which proved decisive in their recent victory against Bologna. This formation allows them to fully utilize the pace of players like Leao and Pulisic on the wings. Bologna, managed by Vincenzo Italiano, is expected to stick with their preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing a strong defensive setup and rapid counter-attacks.

Stakes and Implications

The stakes in this final are incredibly high. The winner of the Coppa Italia automatically qualifies for the UEFA Champions League group stage . Both teams have also secured a spot in the Supercoppa Italiana Final Four next season. For AC Milan, currently sitting in 8th place in Serie A, winning the Coppa Italia could be their most direct route to securing European football for the next season. For Bologna, who are in a strong 7th position, winning the cup would be a historic achievement that guarantees their place in the Champion League and caps off a remarkable season. Both teams are currently outside the UEFA Champions League qualification spots in Serie A, making this final even more crucial as a potential pathway to elite European competition .

The stakes in this final are incredibly high. The winner of the Coppa Italia automatically qualifies for the UEFA Europa League group stage. Both teams have also secured a spot in the Supercoppa Italiana Final Four next season. For AC Milan, currently sitting in 8th place in Serie A, winning the Coppa Italia could be their most direct route to securing European football for the next season. For Bologna, who are in a strong 7th position, winning the cup would be a historic achievement that guarantees their place in the Europa League and caps off a remarkable season. Both teams are currently outside the UEFA Champions League qualification spots in Serie A , making this final even more crucial as a potential pathway to elite European competition.

Prediction

In conclusion, the 2024/25 Coppa Italia final between AC Milan and Bologna promises to be a captivating encounter. While Bologna will be aiming to end their long trophy drought and cap off an impressive season, Milan’s recent head-to-head victory and the potential return of key players might give them a slight advantage. Expect a tense and closely contested match at the Stadio Olimpico, with Milan potentially edging out a narrow victory to lift the Coppa Italia trophy.