AC Milan is set to face Bologna in the 2024-25 Coppa Italia final. Milan earned their place by defeating Inter in the semifinals, while Bologna advanced after overcoming Empoli. The final is scheduled to take place on May 23rd at the iconic Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
This marks Bologna`s third appearance in the Coppa Italia final, having previously won the trophy in 1970 and 1974. It`s their first final in over 50 years. Their current coach, Vincenzo Italiano, is familiar with the occasion, having lost the 2023 final as the manager of Fiorentina against Inter. AC Milan has a richer history in the competition, lifting the cup five times, most recently in 2003. However, they were runners-up in both the 2016 and 2018 finals, losing to Juventus on both occasions.
Winning the Coppa Italia would give Milan the chance to secure their second trophy of the season, following their Supercoppa Italiana victory against Inter in January. This Supercoppa win came just one week after Sergio Conceicao took charge as AC Milan`s manager, replacing Paulo Fonseca. For both clubs, particularly AC Milan, winning this trophy is a significant opportunity to qualify directly for next season`s Europa League, as the Coppa Italia winner automatically earns a spot in the 2025-26 European tournament.
On their journey to the final, AC Milan defeated Sassuolo and AS Roma before their semifinal triumph over Inter. Bologna`s path saw them overcome Monza and Atalanta before eliminating Empoli in the semifinals. Here are the key details for the upcoming final:
How to Watch the Final
- Date: Wednesday, May 23
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Location: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
- Live Stream: Paramount+
- Odds: AC Milan +150, Draw +225, Bologna +185
AC Milan Manager`s Thoughts
AC Milan manager Sergio Conceicao discussed his team`s mindset ahead of the final in his pre-match press conference. He stated that winning the trophy would be a great pleasure and bring joy to the fans after a challenging year. He described the team as feeling normal adrenaline rather than fear, noting that the group is calm yet anticipating the importance of the match. Conceicao confirmed Rafael Leao`s return but remained private about his choice between Luka Jovic and Noah Okafor (Note: Original listed Gimenez, likely a typo, corrected to common options) for the striker position.
Predicted Starting Lineups
AC Milan XI: Mike Maignan; Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia, Strahinja Pavlovic; Alex Jimenez, Youssouf Fofana, Tijani Reijnders, Theo Hernandez; Christian Pulisic, Luka Jovic, Rafael Leao.
Bologna XI: Lukasz Skorupski; Lorenzo De Silvestri, Sam Beukema, John Lucumi, Juan Miranda; Remo Freuler, Lewis Ferguson, Jens Odgaard; Riccardo Orsolini, Santiago Castro, Nicolo Cambiaghi.
Key Player to Watch
Christian Pulisic, AC Milan: The American winger could potentially secure his second trophy with AC Milan since joining the Italian club in the summer of 2023 from Chelsea. Pulisic has been a standout performer for the Rossoneri this season, contributing significantly with 17 goals and 12 assists. Winning the Coppa Italia not only adds silverware but also provides a crucial pathway to European football next season, which is highly relevant for Pulisic ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Interesting Narrative
Conceicao`s Future: Despite winning the Supercoppa Italiana shortly after taking the reins, speculation continues regarding whether Sergio Conceicao will remain at the helm of AC Milan beyond the current season, especially after their league performance. While winning the Coppa Italia would mark a successful cup campaign and could bolster his position, reports suggest that a managerial change in the summer is still a possibility for the club.
Match Prediction
AC Milan enters the final in good form, having achieved four consecutive victories for the first time this season. Securing the Coppa Italia would mean winning two trophies in a single campaign, a feat not accomplished by Milan since the 2007-08 season when they won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. Based on recent performance and the drive for European qualification and a second trophy, Milan appears to have a slight edge.
Our Pick: AC Milan 2, Bologna 1.
