Lazio had ‘extra motivation’ from AC Milan controversy

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Susy Campanale | Last updated Dec 4, 2025 5:51 PM ET

Mattia Zaccagni and Adam Marusic both admit the controversial defeat to AC Milan on Saturday gave them ‘extra motivation’ to get revenge in the Coppa Italia tonight.

It was only on Saturday evening that these two teams met in Serie A with a controversial 1-0 Rossoneri victory at San Siro.

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 29: SS Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SS Lazio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

The roles were reversed tonight in the Coppa Italia, as Zaccagni was allowed a free header on a Nuno Tavares corner to seal the 1-0 win and set up a quarter-final showdown with trophy holders Bologna.

Mike Maignan also made a couple of big saves on Gustav Isaksen and Tijjani Noslin, while Rafael Leao missed a sitter at 0-0.

Lazio got revenge on AC Milan

ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 04: Mattia Zaccagni of Lazio is challenged by Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan during the Coppa Italia Round of 16 match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Olimpico Stadium on December 04, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“We are truly happy, our objective was to go through, and we also were really eager to make up for Saturday,” Zaccagni told Sport Mediaset.

“It was a strong performance, we earned this place in the quarter-finals. This is a difficult season, but we are united, the coach will indicate the right path, and we’re with him.”

Lazio have a very strong record in the Coppa Italia, reaching the quarter-finals in each of the last 15 editions of the tournament.

ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 04: Adam Marusic of Lazio battles for possession with Pervis Estupinan of AC Milan during the Coppa Italia Round of 16 match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Olimpico Stadium on December 04, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

They will now be up against the reigning Coppa Italia holders Bologna, but curiously also face them in Serie A this weekend.

“That was extra motivation, what happened on Saturday, we all really wanted to get the win and go through. Our fans were right behind us and we hope to play many more games in the Coppa Italia with them,” added Marusic.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: