Bologna set for Coppa Italia final after 3-0 win over Empoli

Bologna have a great chance of reaching the 2024-2025 Coppa Italia final after beating hosts Empoli 3-0 in the first leg of their semi-final at the Carlo Castellani Stadium on Wednesday (2/4) early morning IST.

Riccardo Orsolini gave Bologna the lead in the 23rd minute with a clever finish. Thijs Dallinga then scored twice in the 29th and 51st minutes to send the Rossoblu through to the final.

Bologna have not won a major tournament since winning the Coppa Italia in 1974. The 1974 Coppa Italia was their second domestic trophy.

Now the seven-time Serie A champions are all but certain to face one of the Milan giants in next month’s final in Rome, having recorded a sixth straight win in all competitions.

Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano was buoyed by Orsolini, whose late goal was his fifth in five games and has given the 28-year-old a chance to play for Italy.

Orsolini scored his 13th goal of the season in front of Italy coach Luciano Spalletti, and the winger made a knocking gesture towards the television cameras on the sidelines as a gesture towards Spalletti.

Italiano is also chasing his first major trophy as a coach, having previously lost three finals with his previous club Fiorentina, including the 2023 Coppa Italia final.

Empoli have knocked out Fiorentina and Juventus en route to their first semi-final, but that fine run now looks set to come to an end.

Roberto D’Aversa’s side are in the relegation zone in Serie A, having failed to win since the start of December, with a run of 11 defeats and four draws.