´There are secrets´ – Lazio penalty hero Motta ´emotional´ after shoot-out victory

Lazio goalkeeper Edoardo Motta was left “emotional” after his penalty shootout heroics secured Lazio’s place in the Coppa Italia final.

Motta, who joined the Biancocelesti from Serie B side Reggiana in January, saved four spot-kicks as they defeated Atalanta 2-1 following a 3-3 aggregate draw over two legs.

The 21-year-old made a superb save to keep out Gianluca Scamacca’s header in second-half stoppage time during the second leg, which finished 1-1 after Mario Pasalic cancelled out Alessio Romagnoli’s volley.

Motta then took centre stage during the shootout, saving from Scamacca, Davide Zappacosta, Pasalic and Charles de Ketelaere to book his side’s date with Inter in next month’s final.

But when asked about the key to his inspired performance, he kept his cards close to his chest.

13.05.2026 #AvantiLazio pic.twitter.com/E6hpm3xaiw

— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) April 22, 2026

“There are secrets, but we are live on television, so it’s better to keep them hidden!” he told Sport Mediaset.

“I hope to win games earlier, but we’ll be ready for penalties, too. The older players give me so much advice and are reassuring. I’m emotional, I’m sorry.

“I thank everyone, honestly, from those who know me best to the fans and everyone.”

Danilo Cataldi, who hit the post earlier in the shootout, also heaped praise on “fantastic” Motta.

“We knew it would be a tough game, as Atalanta are such a strong team with quality players, even off the bench,” the midfielder said. “Being able to suffer was our strength this season, to grit our teeth and get through difficult times.

“Motta is a great lad, he came from Serie B, he was thrown straight into the mix, but he handled it like a pro. He’s fantastic.”

Atalanta, meanwhile, were frustrated after Ederson saw a goal disallowed by VAR, with the officials claiming the Lazio goalkeeper had both hands on the ball before the Brazilian poked in.

La Dea head coach Raffaele Palladino did not speak to the media after the loss, but sporting director Luca Percassi voiced their disappointment with the officiating.

“When faced with a very good performance from the team, there is an evident error on the goal disallowed for Ederson,” Percassi told Sport Mediaset.

“There was more than one error from the referee, and that is a real pity, because a fully deserved qualification was thrown away by a key incident that inevitably had a big impact on the game.

“An error of this kind is not justifiable when there is so much at stake, and we have so many instruments at the disposal of the referees. It leaves a really bitter taste in the mouth to see this happen.”