Fiorentina defeat Bologna 5-4 on penalties to reach semi-finals

In a thrilling Coppa Italia quarter-final match at Franchi stadium, Fiorentina and Bologna squared off with both teams pounding away at each other for a full 90 minutes.

The first half was a storm of intensity as both squads left nothing on the field. Fiorentina had the better start, but the pick of the chances went to Bologna when Joshua Zirkzee hit the crossbar following an exquisite piece of play.

As the game entered the second half, Bologna seemed to get a better grip and came hair’s breadth away from victory, with a long-range shot from Orsolini finding the post.

As the match wore on without a clear winner, both teams seemed to settle for the draw and the decision was left to a penalty shoot-out.

The gripping penalty round ended in favour of Fiorentina with a narrow 5-4 victory. The nail in the coffin came from Posch’s penalty miss which sealed Bologna’s fate and secured Fiorentina’s spot in the semi-finals of Coppa Italia.