On Wednesday, the Coppa Italia final will feature a match between AC Milan and Bologna, while tonight, the two teams will face off in a Serie A game. Former Lazio player Parolo drew parallels between this upcoming final and the 2019 final where he played against Atalanta. He reflected on his experience and the challenges that come with high-stakes matches.
Parolo noted, “In that match, we didn’t change our tactics drastically. We tried a tactical idea to put Atalanta in difficulty. Although we lost, reviewing the video allowed us to identify our mistakes and areas for adjustment.” He emphasized that the aftermath of the defeat positioned Atalanta as the favorites in media narratives, stating, “The headlines proclaimed: ‘Atalanta cannot lose.’”
He further elaborated on the dynamics of that final, explaining that despite Lazio playing at home in the Olimpico, attention shifted away from them, making Atalanta feel more pressure to win. Drawing from his experience, Parolo highlighted the importance of being accustomed to such crucial matches, saying his team had prior experience in finals, which shaped their approach. He warned that Bologna could fall into a similar trap, noting, “They might think, ‘We’re playing well, we’re a strong team,’ but they must replicate their performance on Wednesday; if not, they’ll lose a trophy.”
Bologna will have to overcome the pressure of expectations in their upcoming matches, and this insight from Parolo serves as a reminder of the mental challenges teams face in finals. The two encounters against Milan could be crucial in building momentum or adding to the pressure they will feel in such a significant match.
As fans look forward to these exciting fixtures, it serves as a great opportunity for Bologna to demonstrate their capabilities and potentially secure their first major trophy in recent history, creating a hopeful narrative for their supporters.