Coppa Italia, Fiorentina in semifinals: Bologna defeated on penalties

Italian Cup, Fiorentina-Bologna 5-4 after penalties (0-0 dts)

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Fiorentina è the first semifinalist of the 2023/24 Coppa Italia. The team coached by Vincenzo Italiano got the better of Bologna after penalty kicks 5-4, after ending both regulation and extra time on 0-0. It's the third consecutive semifinal in the Coppa Italia for the Viola, who will face the winner of Atalanta-Milan.

The match thrives on compassed rhythms in the first half, with the two teams trying to take measures without ever sinking the blow. At 34' the first and only real chance of an otherwise rather bland first half of the game: Zirkzee makes himself the protagonist of a brilliant personal action and concludes towards the opponent’s goal, hitting the crossbar.

The second half also opened with a woodwork struck by the guests: this time è Orsolini, with a great left-footed shot, hit the post to Christensen’s right, when the clock struck 50'. Italiano saw his men set back their center of gravity and ran for cover: in, between 60' and 72', Bonaventura, Nzola, Mandragora, Parisi and Arthur, in place of Barak, Ikoné, Duncan, Biraghi and Beltran.

Thiago Motta responds further ahead, when there's already an air of overtime, with Moro and Calafiori replacing Aebischer and Lucumì. When the whole crowd waits for the triple whistle, Fiorentina comes close to scoring the qualifying goal, but Martinez Quarta's header in the fifth minute of extra time finds effective opposition from Skorupski.

In the extra time è again the Viola came close to taking the lead, again with Martinez Quarta, on the development of an action that started from a dead ball in minute 103: the Argentine’s shot, all alone in front of Skorupski, è forò weak, the Rossoblù goalkeeper thanks. The rest of the extra time does not give any more excitement: it goes to penalties.

From the penalty spot, in order, Ferguson, Zirkzee, Orsolini and Calafiori scored for Bologna, and Mandragora, Arthur, Milenkovic and Yerry Mina scored for Fiorentina. On the last turn Posch kicks to the stars, Maxime Lopez has a chance to close it out and does not miss: Fiorentina can exult in front of the fans at the 'Franchi'.