Atalanta and Fiorentina forced to penalties after dramatic Coppa Italia semifinal draw
Atalanta and Fiorentina draw 1-1 in a dramatic Coppa Italia semifinal second leg, forcing extra time and penalties to decide the finalists.
Fiorentina defender Luca Comuzzo’s 87th-minute own goal cancels out M’Bala Nzola’s first-half strike, leaving the aggregate score tied 1-1 and sending the match into extra time at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The Nerazzurri, who dominated possession and created more chances, now face a penalty shootout to secure their place in the final after a tense, error-strewn contest.
Fiorentina goalkeeper Oliver Christensen emerges as the standout performer, making at least five decisive saves—including a double stop against Ademola Lookman and a reflex parry to deny Mario Pašalić. His heroics keep the Viola in the tie until Comuzzo’s fateful intervention, a scramble in the box that sees the ball deflect off his shin and into the net. Earlier, Atalanta goalkeeper Juan Musso’s weak handling gifts Nzola the opener, the striker pouncing on a loose ball after a poor clearance.
Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini’s tactical gamble—starting Gianluca Scamacca over Rasmus Højlund—yields mixed results. Scamacca tests Christensen early but fades as the match progresses, while substitute Samardžić forces a sharp save from the Danish keeper. Fiorentina’s Nicolas González and Giacomo Bonaventura also threaten, but Atalanta’s midfield—led by Marten de Roon—controls the tempo, with de Roon’s pre-match call to Gasperini hinting at the coach’s reliance on his trusted lieutenant .
The draw sets up a winner-takes-all shootout, with the victor advancing to face either Juventus or Lazio in the final. Both teams finish the Serie A season with this match, their league campaigns already concluded, adding a layer of fatigue to the high-stakes drama. Atalanta, chasing their first major trophy since 1963, will look to break their penalty shootout curse—a demons they’ve failed to exorcise in recent European and domestic knockout ties. Fiorentina, meanwhile, aim to reach their first Coppa Italia final since 2023, when they fell to Inter Milan.

