Italiano: ‘Bologna dream, anything can happen’ in the Final with Milan | OneFootball

Vincenzo Italiano and Bologna ‘can’t wait’ to play the Coppa Italia Final against Milan on May 14, which represents ‘a dream’ for the fans. ‘It’s a one-off match and anything can happen.’

The coach really is making his mark in cup competitions, because this is his fourth Final in the last three years after twice reaching the Conference League showdown at Fiorentina, along with the Coppa Italia in 2023.

They had already secured a 3-0 first leg lead in Empoli, then won 2-1 on home turf this evening thanks to Giovanni Fabbian and Thijs Dallinga headers, around a temporary Viktor Kovalenko equaliser.

“It was an objective, a dream of this city and the club. We achieved something wonderful, honouring the Coppa Italia since the start, because when you get to the final sprint, everyone wants to reach the Final,” Italiano told Sport Mediaset.

“We dedicate this achievement to the crowd in this incredible stadium, who push the lads on from start to finish. We dedicate it to the people of Bologna with all our heart.”

Italiano faced initial Bologna hesitation

BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 24: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, reacts during the coppa Italia Semi Final match between Bologna FC and Empoli at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 24, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Not a great deal was expected of Italiano’s Bologna after the departure of Thiago Motta, plus star players Joshua Zirkzee and Riccardo Calafiori, but he is if anything out-performing his predecessor.

“I am happy to be in the Final. When I met with the owners, they said that they wanted to go all the way in a tournament, now there is one more step to take, but we are already in history by taking all these people with us to Rome,” continued Italiano.

“It was only normal there would be some initial hesitation, as after what the team achieved last season, they changed the coach and several key players. I think participating in the Champions League really helped us to improve in our mentality, intensity and strength, so we took those lessons with us into Serie A and the Coppa Italia.”

Bologna have stepped up a gear or two in 2025, both in Serie A and the Coppa Italia, as celebrating their first Champions League victory was treated like a trophy in itself. Was that the turning point in their campaign?

“The biggest difficulty was to get into the minds of a squad that achieved something fantastic and try to bring something different, to build on those foundations. Fortunately, this is a hard-working group, these lads are intelligent and care about the club.

“After a few too many draws at the start, we began to gain in confidence, found this identity that allows all the players to find the net regularly. I am really happy for Dallinga, because he struggled at first with adapting to a very different style of football, but he’s finding his feet now.”

BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 24: Bologna players pose for a photo with their fans following their sides victory in the coppa Italia Semi Final match between Bologna FC and Empoli at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 24, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Bologna players celebrated with Italiano after the final whistle by playfully slapping the coach on the head, so he was asked if he was prepared to get beaten up by his squad to win the Coppa Italia.

“You are angering Milan by saying these things… I just hope to have a great performance, to go into it with this level of self-esteem, then we’ll try to ride the wave of enthusiasm. We are up against a great team full of champions, but it’s a one-off match and anything can happen,” replied the coach.

“We cannot wait to get to Rome with 30,000 fans behind us at the Stadio Olimpico.”

By a strange twist of fate, Bologna and Milan are also set to face off in Serie A on the weekend of May 10-11, just days before the showdown for the Coppa Italia Final on May 14.