Lazio advanced to the Coppa Italia semi-finals after edging Bologna 4-1 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw at the Renato Dall’Ara.
Maurizio Sarri made just four changes from the side that drew with Juventus on Sunday.
Alessio Romagnoli returned alongside Mario Gila in central defense, while Luca Pellegrini resumed duties on the left flank after a one-match suspension. Adam Marusic completed the backline.
In midfield, Nicolo Rovella earned his first start since September, pushing Danilo Cataldi to the bench.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru started in place of the injured Toma Basic, while Kenneth Taylor and the attacking trio of Gustav Isaksen, Daniel Maldini, and Pedro retained their spots.
Bologna dominated early possession and came close to breaking the deadlock after 15 minutes. Nicolo Cambiaghi’s shot was denied by an alert Ivan Provedel, and his follow-up attempt hit the post.
Lazio threatened with a slick move from their own half, as Pellegrini’s incisive through ball caught Bologna’s high defensive line off guard. Dele-Bashiru had a chance but failed to convert, falling under pressure from Lewis Ferguson.
Bologna eventually opened the scoring after 30 minutes. Nikola Moro’s corner found Santiago Castro, who managed to get ahead of Mario Gila and steer the ball past Provedel, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Lazio responded from a set-piece, with Pedro chipping in a cross that Maldini volleyed, but Lukasz Skorupski made a smart save.
The first half ended on a sour note as Pedro went off injured, making way for Tijjani Noslin.
Noslin proved decisive, equalizing shortly after his introduction. Marusic’s precise vertical pass freed Dele-Bashiru, who squared the ball for the Dutchman to finish calmly.
With few clear-cut chances thereafter, the match went to penalties.
Spot-Kick Drama
Nuno Tavares gave Lazio an early advantage by converting the first penalty, while Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson saw his effort saved.
Boulaye Dia scored for Bologna, but Thijs Dallinga quickly leveled from the spot.
Marusic’s tame penalty was enough to beat Skorupski, and Riccardo Orsolini’s miss further hurt Bologna’s hopes. Kenneth Taylor sealed the shootout with a confident strike, sending Skorupski the wrong way.
Lazio thus eliminated the defending champions and will face Atalanta in the semi-finals, keeping their Coppa Italia hopes alive.
