Crazy night with a happy end in Bergamo. SS Lazio completed their Coppa Italia semi-final comeback by eliminating Atalanta in their own stadium, following the 2-2 draw grabbed in the first leg at the Stadio Olimpico. The 1-1 recorded during the 90 minutes led to a thrilling extra time, with Pedro up front, and afterwards a penalty shootout, where Motta became the hero by saving four penalties. This celebrated victory puts Pedro 90 minutes away from another major title for his impressive trophy cabinet, a tough task against Inter Milan to be played at the Stadio Olimpico on May 13th.
The semi-final began like a chess match, with little pace and a great deal of caution. The first half, with few chances created at either end, was a level one for both sides. However, the break was followed by an eventful second half. Atalanta could have taken the lead with a goal from Ederson dos Santos in the 60th minute, but it was reviewed and disallowed by VAR. The first blood of the match was reserved for the Biancocelesti side of the game.
When extra time seemed the most likely scenario, and in the period of the game where conceding should be decisive, with only six minutes remaining, Romagnoli headed in a corner kick to put Lazio ahead. But these battles are never easy, especially against an Atalanta side that managed to equalise 120 seconds later through Pasalic, sending the home fans into raptures. A second goal for the home team could even have been forthcoming, but Motta prevented it with a spectacular save from Scamacca in the dying moments.
In extra time, VAR took the scene again to overturn an illegal goal by Atalanta. With Pedro now a constant threat in the Biancocelesti attack, Atalanta tightened their defence, leaving the tie to be decided by penalties. It was there that Edoardo Motta proved decisive. The 21-year-old Lazio goalkeeper saved four penalties, securing Lazio's return to the final for what would be their eighth title against an Inter side aiming for a historic double.
- Match stats:
ATALANTA (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini (90'+4' Ahanor), Djimsiti, Kolasinac (71' Kossounou); Zappacosta, de Roon (71' Pasalic), Ederson, Bernasconi (56' Bellanova); De Ketelaere, Zalewski (71' Raspadori); Krstovic (90' Scamacca).
LAZIO (4-3-3): Motta; Marusic (66' Lazzari), Gila (77' Provstgaard), Romagnoli, Tavares; Basic (77' Dele-Bashiru), Patric (84' Cataldi), Taylor; Cancellieri (66' Isaksen), Noslin, Zaccagni (102' Pedro).
Arbitro: Andrea Colombo (sez. Como) booked ' Kolasinac (A), 37' Cancellieri (L), 73' Sarri (L), 117' Scamacca (A), 120' Lazzari (L)
Goals: 84' Romagnoli (L), 86' Pasalic (A)
Penalty shoot-out: Raspadori (A) 1-0, Tavares (L) 1-0, Scamacca (A) 1-0, Cataldi (L) 1-0, Zappacosta (A) 1-0, Isaksen (L) 1-1, Pasalic (A) 1-1, Taylor (L) 1-2, De Ketelaere (A) 1-2.
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