Bologna vs Empoli

After dismantling Empoli in the first leg, the Rossoblu are now just one step away from a showdown with AC Milan in next month’s final.

Match Preview

Bologna took a giant leap toward the Coppa Italia final earlier this month, dominating a young Empoli side to seize control of the tie at Stadio Carlo Castellani. Riccardo Orsolini, the team’s leading scorer, opened the scoring midway through the first half, continuing his stellar campaign. Dan Ndoye then set up Thijs Dallinga twice to extend Bologna’s lead. Although Dallinga missed a chance for a third goal and substitute Nicolo Cambiaghi hit the post, Bologna’s commanding performance marked their sixth consecutive victory.

Having overcome Monza and Atalanta to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1999, Bologna are poised to crown years of progress with a trophy. However, manager Vincenzo Italiano is also focused on securing a return to the Champions League.

After their 3-0 triumph in the first leg, Bologna began a challenging stretch in Serie A with a 1-1 draw against title hopefuls Napoli, followed by a 2-0 defeat to top-four competitors Atalanta. Last weekend, though, they pulled off a stunning upset against reigning champions and league leaders Inter Milan at Stadio Dall’Ara. Orsolini sealed the win with a spectacular bicycle kick in the dying moments of stoppage time, propelling Bologna back into Italy’s top four with only five games left—though Juventus hold a game in hand, and both Roman clubs remain in the race.

Now, to face Milan—who defeated Inter on Wednesday—in the May final, Bologna must complete the job against a struggling Empoli side at home. Bologna have won the Coppa Italia twice before, but not since 1974, while Empoli are in uncharted territory, having never reached the semi-finals until this season.

Empoli’s journey began with a victory over Catanzaro in the first round, followed by a dramatic 90th-minute win against Torino. Under Roberto D’Aversa, they achieved two historic victories to reach the final four. First, they ousted Tuscan rivals Fiorentina in the Derby dell’Arno, advancing on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Then, in the quarter-finals, a lineup featuring reserves and youngsters pulled off a shock result against Juventus in Turin. Despite a 4-1 league defeat there weeks earlier, Empoli managed a 1-1 draw and triumphed in another penalty shootout.