#OnThisDay: Bologna win their first Coppa Italia on 10th June 1970
At the halfway point of the 1969/70 season, Bologna found themselves eleventh in the table and coach Fabbri decided to concentrate his resources on the Coppa Italia having already qualified with maximum points from a group stage with neighbours Reggiana, Cesena and Modena. A quarter-final meeting with Juventus finished goalless after two matches so a play-off was arranged with Como’s stadium serving as a neutral venue. The ever-reliable Perani eventually scored to win the tie for the Rossoblù with a few minutes to go.
The unusual format of the 1969/70 season meant that the trophy would be awarded to the club that came out on top in a final group stage featuring four teams with home and away fixtures to be played against each side. This was played when the Italy national team had already left to take part in the World Cup in Mexico but Bologna, for the first time in history, didn’t contribute a single squad member to the Azzurri thanks to the self-destructive refusal to take Bulgarelli. The Rossoblù overcame a Cagliari side that had just won Serie A with a stunning 4-0 victory away in Sardinia and also beat Serie B winners Varese to set up a winner-takes-all showdown with Torino at the Stadio Comunale. A draw would have been enough for Il Toro whereas Bologna needed a win to take home the cup. Sure enough, Bologna stormed to victory thanks to an extraordinary brace from Savoldi during the first half which was enough to put his side to the top of the standings. With nine points at the end of the “final”, Bologna won their first Coppa Italia on the 10th June 1970. It was the club’s first trophy since winning the Serie A title in 1964.
Coppa Italia, final group stage, 6th match day
Bologna, Stadio Comunale
BOLOGNA-TORINO 2-0
BOLOGNA: Adani, Roversi, Ardizzon, Cresci, Janich, Turra, Perani, Bulgarelli, Pace, Scala, Savoldi. Coach: Fabbri.
TORINO: Sattolo, Lombardo, Fossati, Depetrini, Bolchi (55′ Pavone), Agroppi, Carelli, Ferrini, Sala, Moschino, Pulici. Coach: Cadè.
REFEREE: D’Agostini, Roma.
SCORERS: 30′ Savoldi, 40′ Savoldi.
