Lazio has booked their place in the Coppa Italia Final, set to face Inter on May 13th, after a heroic penalty shootout performance by goalkeeper Edoardo Motta. Motta was the decisive factor, saving an impressive four penalties in a row to eliminate Atalanta from the competition.
The second leg of the semi-final, held in Bergamo, ended in a 1-1 draw after regular and extra time, mirroring the aggregate score of 3-3 from the first leg in Rome. Both teams had their chances throughout the match, with notable defensive plays from Mario Gila for Lazio and several crucial saves from both goalkeepers.
Atalanta had the ball in the net through Ederson following a chaotic play, but the goal was disallowed after VAR review deemed there was a foul on the goalkeeper. Lazio then took the lead late in the second half when Alessio Romagnoli, under pressure from Berat Djimsiti, volleyed home from a Zaccagni corner.
However, Atalanta responded almost immediately, with Mario Pasalic’s shot deflecting in to level the score. The match remained tense, with a sensational late save from Motta denying Gianluca Scamacca an injury-time winner, pushing the tie into extra time.
In extra time, Giacomo Raspadori thought he had scored the winner for Atalanta, but VAR once again intervened, disallowing the goal for an offside in the build-up.
The semi-final ultimately went to penalties, where Edoardo Motta stole the show. After Nuno Tavares’ initial attempt was saved by Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi, Motta went on a remarkable save streak, denying Scamacca, Zappacosta, and Pasalic, while Danilo Cataldi also missed for Lazio. Gustav Isaksen and Kenneth Taylor converted their penalties for Lazio, securing their progression to the final with a 2-1 victory in the shootout.
Match Details:
Atalanta 1-1 Lazio (3-3 on aggregate, Lazio win 2-1 on penalties)
Goals: Romagnoli 84′ (L), Pasalic 86′ (A)
Penalties:
- Atalanta: Raspadori (scored), Scamacca (saved), Zappacosta (saved), Pasalic (saved)
- Lazio: Nuno Tavares (saved), Cataldi (missed), Isaksen (scored), Taylor (scored)
Lazio will now face Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia Final on May 13th.
