Lazio advanced to the Coppa Italia final after defeating Atalanta in a penalty shootout following a 3–3 aggregate draw. The second leg ended 1–1 after extra time, with no goals in regular play until the 84th minute, when Alessio Romagnoli scored from a Mattia Zaccagni corner with a composed volley. Atalanta equalised two minutes later through Mario Pasalic, who finished after Nikola Krstović held off a defender and laid the ball into his path. Neither side could break the deadlock in extra time, leading to penalties. Giacomo Raspadori was Atalanta's only successful taker, while Charles De Ketelaere, Pasalic, Davide Zappacosta and Gianluca Scamacca all missed. Gustav Isaksen and Kenneth Taylor converted for Lazio, sealing their passage. Nigerian midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru entered in the 77th minute and recorded 82% pass accuracy, delivered multiple dangerous crosses, and contributed defensively. Lazio will face Inter Milan in the final on May 13, marking their first appearance in the showpiece since 2017. The club has won the Coppa Italia seven times, most recently in 2019 when they beat Atalanta 2–0.
Dele-Bashiru played a solid supporting role, but his impact came in containment rather than creation, stepping in late without altering the game's outcome. Lazio's progression hinges on marginal moments, with penalties once again proving decisive in a high-stakes encounter. The Nigerian midfielder now has a chance to claim his first major honour, stepping onto the pitch at a critical juncture for a team chasing silverware. Reaching the final after seven years underscores the rarity of such opportunities for players outside the starting XI.
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