Lewis Ferguson capped a resilient comeback from a serious injury by leading Bologna to a historic Italian Cup victory on Wednesday night, as they defeated AC Milan 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. This triumph marks Bologna’s first major trophy in 51 years, sparking jubilant celebrations among players and fans.
The Scotland international midfielder has endured a challenging period after suffering a cruciate ligament tear in April of last year, an injury that sidelined him for a significant portion of the season and dashed his hopes of participating in EURO 2024. Despite returning to action in November, further muscular issues hampered his progress. However, Ferguson fought his way back to full fitness and was rewarded by captaining Bologna to this momentous victory.
Ferguson delivered a typically determined and skillful performance in the final. He even played a significant portion of the match with a bloodied nose after a clash with AC Milan’s Rafael Leao late in the first half, requiring a change of shirt. Dan Ndoye’s 53rd-minute goal ultimately secured the win for Bologna, who then defended their slender lead resolutely.
Speaking to reporters after the match, an emotional Ferguson reflected on his journey: “Obviously, I had a really serious injury, and I had to work really hard for six, seven months. More even. Then, when I got back, I had to work even harder, and then I got injured again, and then again. It’s been a really hard year, but I’m really happy to be here. We put in a historic performance tonight.”
While his Scotland teammate Scott McTominay has been making headlines with Napoli in their Scudetto pursuit, Ferguson has quietly become a key figure in Italian football since his move from Aberdeen in 2022. He has been instrumental in Bologna’s recent resurgence, playing a vital role in their qualification for the modern Champions League last season � their first appearance in Europe’s premier club competition since a brief stint in the old European Cup in 1964. In late 2023, he also surpassed Denis Law to become the highest-scoring Scottish player in Serie A history.
After a disappointing group stage exit in the Champions League earlier this season, Bologna have found their stride. Their victory over Borussia Dortmund in January, their first ever Champions League win, was a turning point. Since then, under the guidance of coach Vincenzo Italiano, they have continued to improve, remaining in contention for a Champions League spot next season and now adding the Italian Cup to their achievements.
“In the three years since I’ve been here, we’ve grown a lot, every year we improve our level of play and the way we work,” Ferguson stated. “Last year we made a record points total, we made history by getting into the Champions League, and now we’ve made history again.”
For Ferguson, this victory marks a significant contrast to his last cup final appearance, a loss to Celtic in his debut season with Aberdeen back in 2018. “This morning I watched that match to remind myself how I felt… I used it to motivate me for tonight,” he revealed.
Bologna still have two crucial Serie A matches remaining as they aim to secure a Champions League spot for next season. They currently sit two points behind fourth-placed Juventus, with upcoming fixtures against Fiorentina and Genoa. However, for now, the city of Bologna will be celebrating a long-awaited and richly deserved major trophy, with captain Lewis Ferguson at the heart of their historic triumph.
