Riccardo Calafiori and Joshua Zirkzee may have left Bologna, but their hearts were still with the club as they celebrated the Rossoblù’s stunning 1-0 win over Milan in the Coppa Italia final.
The victory marks Bologna’s first major trophy in over half a century and guarantees them a place in next season’s Europa League.
When Did Bologna Last Win a Major Trophy Before the 2024 Coppa Italia?
Before Wednesday night’s win, Bologna hadn’t lifted a major title since 1974. That long drought ended thanks to a decisive goal from Dan Ndoye, which was enough to secure a 1-0 victory over Milan and hand the Emilia-Romagna club the 2024–25 Coppa Italia.
The win also guarantees Europa League qualification, giving Vincenzo Italiano’s side a shot on the European stage next season.
How Did Calafiori and Zirkzee React to Bologna’s Coppa Italia Triumph?
Though now playing for Arsenal and Manchester United, respectively, Riccardo Calafiori and Joshua Zirkzee made it clear they were emotionally invested in Bologna’s Coppa Italia run.
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Calafiori, who joined Arsenal last summer, took to Instagram to send a heartfelt message to Dan Ndoye, praising his match-winning performance.
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Zirkzee, who is being targeted by Inter, posted two photos to his story—one during the match and another after—captioned “Forza Bologna.”
How Does Bologna’s Win Impact Milan’s Already Disastrous Season?
While it’s a fairy tale for Bologna, it’s another nightmare chapter in Milan’s season. The loss in the Coppa Italia final compounds a string of disappointments for the Rossoneri, who are now in danger of missing out on Europe entirely.
As Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani bluntly admitted, “this is a failed season”. The club now needs other Serie A results to go in their favor if they hope to sneak into the Champions League or Europa League spots.
What Does Bologna’s Europa League Qualification Mean for Serie A?
With Bologna now confirmed for the Europa League, the battle for European places in Serie A becomes even tighter.
Clubs like Milan, Juventus, Roma, and Atalanta are all scrambling for remaining qualification spots, with every matchday now carrying major implications.
This also highlights the increasing competitiveness of Serie A, where so-called mid-table clubs like Bologna can now challenge traditional giants both on the pitch and in the transfer market.
