Lazio overturn aggregate deficit to claim first silverware of Cragnotti era in 1998 Coppa Italia Final
In a dramatic second leg at the Stadio Olimpico, Lazio defeated Milan 3-1 to complete a historic comeback, with goals from Guerino Gottardi, Vladimir Jugovic, and Alessandro Nesta sealing the victory.
Lazio have secured their first piece of silverware under the presidency of Claudio Cragnotti by defeating Milan 3-1 in the second leg of the 1998 Coppa Italia Final. The victory marks the end of a 24-year trophy drought for the Biancocelesti, with their previous major honour dating back to the 1974 Scudetto.
The match was decided by a dramatic second-half comeback after Lazio found themselves behind on aggregate following a 1-0 defeat at San Siro in the first leg. Despite Milan taking an early lead through a goal by George Weah, the home side equalised through Guerino Gottardi and subsequently took a 2-1 lead via a penalty converted by Vladimir Jugovic.
Alessandro Nesta scored the decisive third goal to complete the turnaround, ensuring Lazio would lift the cup. The result was a significant milestone for a club that had endured significant institutional struggles in the preceding decades, including relegation to Serie B and a nine-point deduction resulting from the 1980 betting scandal.
Both teams entered the fixture hampered by significant player absences. Lazio were without Matias Almeyda, Beppe Pancaro, José Chamot, and Alen Boksic, while Milan missed key figures Leonardo and Zvonimir Boban. The absence of these players shaped the tactical approach of both sides during the contest.
The match featured the return to a single-match final format in the capital, a relatively recent innovation at the time. Lazio played with Roberto Mancini and Gigi Casiraghi up front, while Milan countered with Dejan Savicevic and George Weah. The final saw the referee, Treossi, award a penalty to Lazio following a foul by Paolo Maldini on Gottardi.
The victory concluded a period of long-suffering for Lazio fans, who had witnessed the deaths of managers Tommaso Maestrelli and Luciano Re Cecconi, alongside the club's financial penalties and relegation in the 1980s. The win signalled a resurgence for the Biancocelesti, ending a long era of struggle and restoring pride to the institution.
