Bologna screams, with Castro-gol flies to the semi-final of the Italian Cup

Bergamo, 4 February 2025 – Bologna is amazing: you are in the semi-final of the Italian Cup. In Bergamo, a masterpiece of the rossoblù, who crush Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium with a goal from Castro ten minutes from the ninetieth.

Jubilation in the away sector, 1.400 people celebrating and singing at the top of their lungs throughout the match and with the decibels increasing further towards the end, for a semi-final that had been awaited for 26 years (the last one in 1999).

A historic success, put together by Vincenzo Italiano and a group that never ceases to surprise, especially on nights like this. In the penultimate act, the rossoblù await one between Juventus and Empoli (on the field on February 26), and then back on the field in April, for the first and second leg semi-finals.

Italian surprises everyone a little in the starting eleven, where there are neither Castro nor Dominguez: space for Dallinga as central striker and Odgaard wide on the right. In front of Skorupski, Beukema and Lucumi are confirmed, with Holm and Lykogiannis on the sides.

The first chance It's for the Goddess and comes in seventh. De Ketelaere runs away down the right and shoots from a good position, powerful but central, with Skorupski taking refuge in a corner. Atalanta dangerous on the counterattack, with Bellanova and Zappacosta always lurking, Bologna responded with a couple of attempts from outside the area by Pobega and Odgaard, but without making an impact.

Around half an hour, De Ketelaere again, this time in assist-man mode for Ederson, the Brazilian shoots, but finds the deflection of Lykogiannis to avoid the worst for the rossoblù. Before the interval, trouble for Italiano and the group: Odgaard, after a recovery on Zappacosta, feels that something is wrong with his muscles and stops immediately.

Out with the Dane and in with Dominguez. In injury time, the best chance of the first half for the rossoblù. Ndoye's swerve from the right into the area to sit down Djimsiti, a towed pass to Pobega, who however fails to cause any harm with his left foot. The pace immediately increased in the second half, with Bologna far from giving up.

In the 60th minute, in fact, a major intervention by Rui Patricio is needed to save Atalanta. It's Ndoye again who sows panic on the right and crosses into the middle, Dallinga collects and offers to Pobega, who chews a right-footed shot deflected into a corner by the Goddess' number one.

The red and blues have more, but Atalanta is also there, and it takes the feats of an extraordinary Skorupski to deny the Nerazzurri the lead, saving on Bellanova, Cuadrado and Maldini. And while Gasperini gives debuts to the former Posch and Maldini, fresh signing from Monza, Bologna takes the lead. 80th minute, perfect free kick from Lykogiannis from the three-quarter line, Castro, just entered, attacks the goal at the second post and heads ahead of Rui Patricio.

First touch of the ball and immediate goal: a triumph. The Argentine runs under the away sector and is overwhelmed by hugs, from fans and teammates. Then, another 15 minutes of suffering, with the rossoblù good at managing and resisting the final assaults of Gasperini's eleven. Marinelli whistles: it's the semifinal. And it's a great, very great, Bologna. 

The little table 

Atalanta-Bologna 0-1

Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Rui Patricio; Toloi (27' st Posch), Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Zappacosta (14' st Cuadrado); Pasalic (14' st Samardzic); De Ketelaere (22' st Brescianini), Retegui (14' st Maldini). (31 Rossi, 51 Dajcar; 49 Del Lungo, 52 Obric, 22 Ruggeri, 27 Palestra, 6 Sulemana). Coach: Gasperini.

Bologna (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Holm, Beukeman, Lucumì, Lykogiannis; Freuler, Pobega (33' st Casale); Odgaard (40' pt Dominguez), Fabbian (21' st Moro), Ndoye; Dallinga (33' st Castro). (23 Bagnolini, 34 Ravaglia; 5 Erlic, 14 Calabria, 29 De Silvestri, 33 Miranda, 17 El Azzouzi, 20 Aebischer, 28 Cambiaghi). Coach: Italian.

Referee: Marinelli of Tivoli.

Network: in the 35th minute Castro.

Angoli: 4-3 for Atalanta.

Recovery: 2' and 5'