´I was starting to think that goal was cursed!´ – Italiano revels in Bologna´s shoot-out heroics – Soccer News

Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano quipped that he thought the objective was cursed earlier than Ciro Motionless rifled dwelling the decisive kick in Friday’s penalty shoot-out win over Inter within the Supercoppa Italiana.

Bologna, who received the Coppa Italia to finish a 51-year main trophy drought final season, will face Napoli within the Supercoppa’s showpiece match on Monday.

They needed to rally from 1-0 all the way down to win their semi-final in Saudi Arabia, although, after Marcus Thuram acrobatically volleyed Serie A leaders Inter forward after 72 seconds.

A penalty from captain Riccardo Orsolini dragged the Rossoblu degree earlier than the tip of the primary half, and after goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia saved Inter at bay within the second interval, they received a tense shoot-out 3-2.

5 consecutive penalties had been missed or saved after Lautaro Martinez and Lewis Ferguson transformed the primary two kicks, however then, with Bologna boasting a slender benefit, Jonathan Rowe and Motionless each held their nerve from 12 yards.

Motionless’s highly effective kick, which crashed in off the underside of the crossbar, sealed Bologna’s first shoot-out win in any competitors since December 13, 1995 – versus Milan within the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.

“Because of this we signed Ciro, to attain penalties like that!” Italiano stated, per Sport Mediaset.

“He got here off the bench and was the fifth man up as a result of he’s so accustomed to those conditions. I used to be beginning to assume that objective was cursed, with all of the misses in a row!”

1 – Bologna, on their #SupercoppaItaliana debut, progressed after a penalty shootout in all competitions for the primary time since 13 December 1995, towards AC Milan within the 1995/96 Coppa Italia quarter-finals. Initiation.#BolognaInter pic.twitter.com/u0LHtsLHYC

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) December 19, 2025

In regulation time, Bologna edged the anticipated objectives battle by 1.28 xG to 1.17, although Inter had been clearly superior within the second half, amassing 0.73 xG to their opponents’ 0.17.

And Italiano felt a draw was honest after every staff loved one half within the ascendency.

“Beginning with that handicap was not straightforward, however we saved our heads, we managed to equalise and I felt our first half was wonderful general,” he added.

“Inter had been higher within the second half, however one half every means the draw was a good end result after which penalties are a lottery, so that you want a little bit of luck.”

Inter have now been eradicated on the final three events they’ve contested a penalty shoot-out, additionally dropping to Lazio within the 2018-19 Coppa Italia quarter-finals and Atletico Madrid within the 2023-24 Champions League spherical of 16.

Nerazzurri boss Cristian Chivu stated: “Penalties are a lottery for my part – I like the braveness to boost your hand and say you’ll take one.

“It’s one thing you can’t observe, as a result of the feelings of a match scenario can’t be replicated.

“I assumed my staff put in a fantastic efficiency, particularly within the second half. They’d high quality and depth, that are the issues I at all times wish to see from my gamers.”

Friday’s match was the primary within the Supercoppa to finish degree after 90 minutes for the reason that 2016 last between Juventus and Milan (1-1, Milan received on penalties), and the primary semi-final to require a shoot-out for the reason that competitors’s format was expanded in 2023.