Lazio Secures Coppa Italia Final Spot Against Inter Following Thrilling Penalty Shootout Victory Over Atalanta

The two teams clashed once more seven weeks following their first leg, which ended in a 2-2 stalemate at the Stadio Olimpico. In this encounter, La Dea sought to turn around a disappointing record of just two wins from their last ten matches across all competitions.

Despite their prior struggles, Raffaele Palladino’s squad started confidently and exerted more pressure in the early stages of the match held in Bergamo.

However, clear goal-scoring opportunities were scarce, with the most notable chance coming when Nicola Zalewski’s attempt was diverted wide after Charles De Ketelaere failed to control Lorenzo Bernasconi’s cross into the box.

Lazio rarely threatened the Atalanta goal, their best chance falling to Toma Bašić, who headed over from a free-kick taken by Mattia Zaccagni.

Given the importance of the match, it was hardly surprising that both teams managed only a single shot on target between them as they approached half-time.

Atalanta seemed more likely to find the net first, but a controversial moment occurred just after the hour mark when Éderson’s close-range strike was ruled out following a VAR review. The footage indicated that Edoardo Motta had possession before Nikola Krstović assisted the Brazilian.

This was a significant escape for Lazio, who could have been penalised for a handball against Mario Gila in the build-up. Lazio then had a handball appeal of their own dismissed against Giorgio Scalvini, before Tijjani Noslin’s left-foot shot went off target, and another attempt from the Dutchman was blocked by Mario Pašalić.

The visitors took what seemed to be a crucial lead when Alessio Romagnoli scored with a superb first-time left-footed effort from Zaccagni’s corner.

However, just two minutes later, Pašalić pulled Atalanta level as Krstović set him up for a deflected shot past Motta.

Lazio’s goalkeeper then made a fantastic save, tipping Gianluca Scamacca’s header onto the post, pushing the tense match into extra time.

Atalanta appeared to be on the path to Rome when Giacomo Raspadori scored in the 96th minute, only for the goal to be disallowed due to an offside call against Davide Zappacosta in the build-up.

With the additional 30 minutes yielding little action, a nerve-wracking penalty shootout was on the horizon.

Motta stepped up during the shootout, delivering an outstanding performance by saving four consecutive penalties, thwarting attempts from Nuno Tavares, Scamacca, Pašalić, and De Ketelaere, propelling Maurizio Sarri’s squad into the final.

The Biancocelesti will now aim for a record eighth Coppa Italia title, hoping to clinch their first since the 2018/19 season, when they face the Nerazzurri on May 13th.

Check out all the match statistics here