BOLOGNA, ITALY — Lazio advanced to the next round of the Coppa Italia on penalties, defeating Bologna 4-1 in the shootout after the sides played to a 1-1 draw at Renato Dall'Ara. Santiago Castro's header and Tijjani Noslin's close-range finish sent the match to spot kicks, where Lazio's composure proved the difference despite Bologna's territorial dominance throughout the 90 minutes.
The hosts started brightly, with Castro testing Ivan Provedel early in the 10th minute, forcing the Lazio goalkeeper into a smart save after Lewis Ferguson's clever assist. Bologna's pressure told in the 30th minute when Castro rose highest to meet Nikola Moro's pinpoint cross from a corner, powering his header into the bottom left corner to give the Rossoblu a deserved lead.
Lazio struggled to create clear opportunities in the opening period, managing just two shots compared to Bologna's seven before the break. But Marco Baroni's side struck at the perfect moment, equalizing deep into first-half stoppage time. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru's intelligent work down the right flank created the opening, and Noslin was perfectly positioned to tap home from very close range, sending the teams into the interval level at 1-1.
The second half saw Bologna reassert their dominance in possession and chance creation. Riccardo Orsolini became increasingly influential, winning multiple free kicks and testing Lazio's defensive discipline. The Italian winger saw two efforts blocked in the 65th and 66th minutes as Bologna pressed for a winner. Santiago Castro continued to threaten, forcing another save from Provedel in the 51st minute with a right-footed effort from distance.
Lazio's best chance of the second period fell to Danilo Cataldi in the 78th minute, but his right-footed strike from outside the box sailed narrowly wide. The visitors relied heavily on counter-attacks, with Gustav Isaksen and Tijjani Noslin providing pace on the flanks, though clear-cut opportunities remained scarce.
The statistics painted a picture of Bologna's territorial superiority. The hosts fired 13 shots to Lazio's five, enjoyed a 5-2 advantage in corners, and shared possession almost equally at 48.8% to 51.2%. However, both sides managed just two shots on target apiece, highlighting the defensive organization on display. The physical nature of the contest was evident in the foul count, with Bologna committing 17 to Lazio's 12, while five yellow cards were brandished throughout the evening.
Substitutions failed to break the deadlock. Bologna introduced Federico Bernardeschi and Simon Sohm in the 70th minute, seeking fresh legs in attack, while Lazio countered by bringing on Boulaye Dia and Danilo Cataldi to shore up their midfield. The introduction of Thijs Dallinga for Santiago Castro in the 80th minute gave Bologna a different attacking dimension, but Lazio's defensive shape held firm.
The closing stages saw tensions rise, with Juan Miranda and Nuno Tavares both receiving yellow cards for cynical fouls. Martin Vitík joined them in the referee's book in the 91st minute for a foul on Tavares as Bologna desperately sought a late winner. Four minutes of stoppage time came and went without a decisive goal, sending the match to penalties.
The shootout began disastrously for Bologna when Lewis Ferguson's penalty was saved by Provedel, diving low to his left. Nuno Tavares calmly converted Lazio's first, slotting his left-footed effort into the bottom right corner. Thijs Dallinga restored parity for Bologna, firing straight down the middle, but Boulaye Dia immediately responded for Lazio with a composed finish to the bottom left corner.
Riccardo Orsolini stepped up with Bologna needing to score, but his left-footed attempt flew agonizingly wide of the post. Adam Marusic made no mistake for Lazio, placing his penalty into the bottom left corner to give the visitors a commanding advantage. Kenneth Taylor sealed Lazio's progression with the final kick, converting to the center of the goal and sparking celebrations among the traveling support.
The defeat extends Bologna's inconsistent run, having won just once in their last five matches across all competitions. Their inability to convert territorial dominance into goals proved costly, with Jens Odgaard and Nicolò Cambiaghi working tirelessly in midfield but lacking the clinical edge in the final third. Jhon Lucumí and Martin Vitík performed admirably in defense, but their efforts were ultimately undone by the lottery of penalties.
For Lazio, the result represents a valuable progression despite being second-best for large periods. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru's assist for the equalizer proved crucial, while Provedel's penalty heroics justified his selection. The Biancocelesti showed resilience and composure when it mattered most, qualities that will serve them well in the later rounds.
Bologna travel to face Torino on February 15, seeking to rediscover their scoring touch in Serie A. Lazio, meanwhile, face a stern test when they travel to Atalanta on the same date, where their defensive organization will be thoroughly examined by one of Italy's most potent attacking sides.