Bologna snatches victory on penalties, breaking Inter's tradition
Bologna's first football team ended Inter Milan's annual appearance in the Italian Super Cup final, defeating them on penalties in the semi-final on Friday evening in Riyadh, pulling off the biggest upset of this year's tournament.
Inter Milan took an early lead at Al-Hilal Park, thanks to a goal from French striker Marcus Thuram in the 2nd minute. Bologna responded with an equalizer in the 35th minute, scored by Italian striker Riccardo Orsolini from the penalty spot.
After a goalless second half, the two teams went straight to penalties at the end of regulation time, without extra time. Coach Cristian Chivu's men missed three of their five penalties, while Vincenzo Italiano's side converted three of their five.
With this victory, Bologna advances to the final, scheduled for Monday at Al-Hilal Park against Napoli, who defeated AC Milan 2-0 on Thursday at the same venue. Bologna are competing in the Italian Super Cup for the first time in their history. Their victory in the semi-final denied Inter Milan a fifth consecutive appearance in the final.
Inter had been a regular participant in the final since 2021, winning it twice and losing the other two times.
The qualification of Napoli and Bologna for the final means that Juventus remains the sole holder of the record for most titles. Both AC Milan and Inter Milan have eight titles each, and a victory for either of them in this edition would have seen them share the record with Juventus, who have nine.