Lazio Roma achieved the feat of reaching the Coppa final at their home stadium. The main reason for their progress against Atalanta Bergamo: goalkeeper Motta, who was involuntarily moved to the front line.
The highlights of the semi-final second leg between Como and Inter, in which the Milan side came from 2-0 down late on Tuesday evening to reach the final 3-2 in regulation time, were never matched in the second deciding match. If only because Atalanta and Lazio crumbled at the back in the first period and took few risks.
In the second period, however, the duel produced a few exclamation marks – starting with the supposed 1:0 by Bergamo’s Ederson, who, unlike his opponent Gila, who switched off and also intervened a little with his hand, remained active in the scene and slotted in from close range (61′). However, because goalkeeper Gila had saved the ball beforehand, the VAR disallowed the goal (64′).
So it remained 0-0 until deep into the final phase, before events took a turn for the worse …
Goal, equalizer, post, VAR – and the decision in the penalty shoot-out
First of all, the Romans took a 1-0 lead: after a Zaccagni corner, Romagnoli beat Djimsiti in a robust duel and pushed the ball over the line from close range. Carnesecchi had no chance (84′). Just like twice in the first leg, Lazio had taken the lead – and just like twice in the first leg, the Bergamo side were quick to strike back. This time less than 180 seconds later through Pasalic, who slotted home the equalizer after a clever backpass from Krstovic. Like his counterpart, the keeper (Motta) also had no chance of defending (86′).
As if that wasn’t enough, Atalanta joker Scamacca finished off a dangerous header just when everything was pointing towards the ultimate thriller. However, Rome goalkeeper Motta, who had only come into the starting line-up due to a shoulder injury to regular starter Provedel (who had played in the 2-2 draw in the first leg weeks ago), made an outstanding save to steer the ball against the post.
What was to come was a real shock for the visitors from Lombardy. Motta was to become the hero after a straightforward period of extra time in which a Raspadori goal to make it 2:1 was disallowed due to Zappacosta being narrowly offside (97′). After Raspadori’s initial 1:0 goal, the goalkeeper, who had only been recruited this year from Serie B club AC Reggiana, saved four (!) consecutive penalties in the final shoot-out – against Scamacca, Zappacosta, Pasalic and de Ketelaere. Motta made up for a series of mistakes by his colleagues Nuno Tavares, Cataldi and Isaksen – and ensured that the Biancocelesti will now face Inter Milan in the final on May 13. From Lazio’s point of view, of course, this time in their own time-honored Stadio Olimpico.