Riccardo Orsolini’s breathtaking last-minute bicycle kick secured a dramatic 1-0 victory for Bologna against Serie A leaders Inter Milan on April 20th, 2025. This stunning upset delivered a significant blow to Inter’s title aspirations, leaving them level on points with Napoli, who also secured a 1-0 win earlier in the weekend.
Inter Milan, chasing a treble, remained at the top of the table with 71 points from 33 games. However, the unexpected defeat leaves them vulnerable, especially with Napoli breathing down their necks. Inter coach Simone Inzaghi acknowledged the match’s balanced nature, highlighting the organized performance and sacrifice from his team. He expressed disappointment but emphasized the need to remain focused on their remaining objectives.
Orsolini’s goal, a spectacular acrobatic effort, arrived in stoppage time. A long throw-in from Bologna, flicked on by an Inter defender, fell perfectly for the striker to unleash his stunning bicycle kick, securing the three points for the home side. This was Orsolini’s 12th league goal of the season, putting him level with Inter’s Lautaro Martínez and Napoli’s Romelu Lukaku in the Serie A scoring charts.
The victory propelled Bologna into fourth place, temporarily surpassing Juventus in the race for Champions League qualification. With 60 points, they are firmly positioned to secure a coveted spot in Europe’s elite competition. Their upcoming Coppa Italia semifinal second leg against Empoli presents another crucial opportunity to continue their impressive run of form.
Inter Milan now faces a demanding ten-day period, starting with the Coppa Italia semi-final against AC Milan. This will be followed by a Serie A clash with AS Roma and a crucial Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Their recent away form has been inconsistent, with only one win in their last seven Serie A away matches. Despite this, their ambitions of achieving a treble remain very much alive.
The match itself was a tight affair, with few clear-cut chances for either side. Bologna’s Thijs Dallinga had an early opportunity but his shot was deflected wide. Both teams had only one shot on target each until Orsolini’s late intervention. The game saw heightened tension in the second half, resulting in red cards for Bologna’s manager Vincenzo Italiano and Inter’s assistant coach Massimiliano Farris. Inter had a late chance through Mehdi Taremi, but his effort was blocked by Juan Miranda. In the end, it was Orsolini’s brilliance that decided the match, leaving Inter with a bitter taste of defeat and a crucial reminder of the challenges that lie ahead in their pursuit of a historic treble.
