Bologna booked their place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time since 1999 after securing a dramatic 1-0 win over Atalanta on Tuesday, thanks to a late strike from substitute Santiago Castro.
⚽ Match Summary
In a tense quarter-final clash at the Gewiss Stadium, it was Bologna who emerged victorious, with Castro’s impact proving decisive just two minutes after coming off the bench.
Vincenzo Italiano’s men dominated much of the match and were finally rewarded for their persistence with a late winner. Bologna will now face either Juventus or Empoli in the semi-finals.
📊 Key Moments
- Early Pressure from Atalanta:
Atalanta started strong, with Charles De Ketelaere forcing an early save from Lukasz Skorupski. Moments later, Davide Zappacosta blazed an effort over the bar, missing a chance to put the hosts ahead. - Bologna Grow Into the Game:
Despite Atalanta’s early dominance, Bologna began to find their rhythm. Just before halftime, Jhon Lucumi tested Rui Patricio, but the Atalanta keeper dealt with the shot comfortably. - Second Half Struggles for Atalanta:
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side struggled to create clear-cut chances after the break, failing to break down Bologna’s resilient defense. Their recent form—two consecutive draws against Barcelona and Torino—seemed to carry over into this match. - Super Sub Santiago Castro Makes the Difference (80’):
With the game heading towards extra time, Italiano turned to his bench, introducing Santiago Castro. Just two minutes later, the Argentine forward met an inviting cross from Charalampos Lykogiannis, rising at the back post to head past Patricio and seal Bologna’s historic win.
📈 Data Debrief: A Long Time Coming
Bologna’s victory marks their first appearance in the Coppa Italia semi-finals since 1999, when they were managed by the legendary Carlo Mazzone.
Key stats from the match:
- Expected Goals (xG): Bologna (1.43) vs. Atalanta (0.87)
- Shots: 13 each for both teams
- Shots on Target: Bologna edged Atalanta with more accurate efforts
After being knocked out of the Champions League last week, Bologna showed great character to bounce back with this victory. They had previously been eliminated in their last two Coppa Italia quarter-final appearances, but broke that streak in style.
🚀 What’s Next?
- Bologna: Advance to the Coppa Italia semi-finals, where they’ll face the winner of Juventus vs. Empoli.
- Atalanta: Face questions about their form as they continue to struggle in both Serie A and cup competitions.
Bologna’s dream of lifting the Coppa Italia lives on, and with this kind of resilience, they’ll be a tough challenge for anyone left in the competition.
Bologna booked their place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time since 1999 after securing a dramatic 1-0 win over Atalanta on Tuesday, thanks to a late strike from substitute Santiago Castro.
⚽ Match Summary
In a tense quarter-final clash at the Gewiss Stadium, it was Bologna who emerged victorious, with Castro’s impact proving decisive just two minutes after coming off the bench.
Vincenzo Italiano’s men dominated much of the match and were finally rewarded for their persistence with a late winner. Bologna will now face either Juventus or Empoli in the semi-finals.
📊 Key Moments
- Early Pressure from Atalanta:
Atalanta started strong, with Charles De Ketelaere forcing an early save from Lukasz Skorupski. Moments later, Davide Zappacosta blazed an effort over the bar, missing a chance to put the hosts ahead. - Bologna Grow Into the Game:
Despite Atalanta’s early dominance, Bologna began to find their rhythm. Just before halftime, Jhon Lucumi tested Rui Patricio, but the Atalanta keeper dealt with the shot comfortably. - Second Half Struggles for Atalanta:
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side struggled to create clear-cut chances after the break, failing to break down Bologna’s resilient defense. Their recent form—two consecutive draws against Barcelona and Torino—seemed to carry over into this match. - Super Sub Santiago Castro Makes the Difference (80’):
With the game heading towards extra time, Italiano turned to his bench, introducing Santiago Castro. Just two minutes later, the Argentine forward met an inviting cross from Charalampos Lykogiannis, rising at the back post to head past Patricio and seal Bologna’s historic win.
📈 Data Debrief: A Long Time Coming
Bologna’s victory marks their first appearance in the Coppa Italia semi-finals since 1999, when they were managed by the legendary Carlo Mazzone.
Key stats from the match:
- Expected Goals (xG): Bologna (1.43) vs. Atalanta (0.87)
- Shots: 13 each for both teams
- Shots on Target: Bologna edged Atalanta with more accurate efforts
After being knocked out of the Champions League last week, Bologna showed great character to bounce back with this victory. They had previously been eliminated in their last two Coppa Italia quarter-final appearances, but broke that streak in style.
🚀 What’s Next?
- Bologna: Advance to the Coppa Italia semi-finals, where they’ll face the winner of Juventus vs. Empoli.
- Atalanta: Face questions about their form as they continue to struggle in both Serie A and cup competitions.
Bologna’s dream of lifting the Coppa Italia lives on, and with this kind of resilience, they’ll be a tough challenge for anyone left in the competition.
