There is more than just silverware at stake on Wednesday evening at the Stadio Olimpico. For Milan, the Coppa Italia final against Bologna represents a potential last lifeline—a single shot at redemption in a season marked by inconsistency, missed opportunities, and fierce introspection. As the red and black of Milan prepares to meet the Rossoblu under Rome’s glowing lights, a familiar question lingers in the air: which of their stars will rise when it matters most?
But it’s not just Milan who have something to fight for. Bologna, too, arrives in Rome carrying hopes of salvation. A Coppa Italia win would serve as insurance should they falter in the race for a Champions League spot. For both clubs, Europa League is not the dream—it’s the fallback. Tonight, only a trophy will do.
The narrative is razor-sharp: win, or risk falling into obscurity. Milan, once the king of Europe, now finds itself walking a tightrope. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, this is an “open final” where both sides possess weapons of quality, yet carry the burden of seasons that haven’t quite gone to plan.
Milan’s recent comeback victory over Bologna in Serie A—a 3-1 turnaround with three goals in the final 18 minutes—offered a preview of what could unfold. But, as manager Sergio Conceicao put it, finals are a different beast.
There’s a raw desperation to this match. The Coppa Italia would be Milan’s first in over two decades, and only their second trophy this season. For a club of its stature, that’s both an opportunity and a stark reminder of how far it has fallen from Europe’s summit.
Who starts and who sits?
The mystery surrounding Milan’s starting lineup has now cleared, and the answers offer a blend of attacking firepower and cautious optimism. Despite speculation over the involvement of names like Joao Felix and Santiago Gimenez, it will be Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao who flank Luka Jovic in the attack.
As reported by Sky Italia, Milan is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mike Maignan in goal, a back three of Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia, and Strahinja Pavlovic, and wing-backs Alex Jimenez and Theo Hernandez.
In midfield, Youssouf Fofana, despite foot issues, completed training and is expected to start alongside Tijjani Reijnders. The attacking trio—Pulisic, Leao, and Jovic—will be the ones tasked with delivering Milan’s long-awaited Coppa glory.
Much of the Rossoneri’s hopes tonight will ride on their devastating wing play. Pulisic, now Milan’s top scorer in 2024-25 with 17 goals, has thrived in his debut season. His partnership with Leao, who has 12 goals, has developed into one of Serie A’s most effective duos. Between them, they have provided 17 assists, a figure that underlines their centrality to the Red and Blacks’ attacking scheme.
