Coppa Italia | Semi-Finals | 1st Leg

Apr 1, 2025 at 8pm UK

Stadio Carlo Castellani

Empoli vs Bologna

Match preview

Against all the odds, Empoli remain in contention for their first ever Coppa Italia triumph, although they are clear outsiders in the last four.

After defeating Catanzaro in the first round and then scoring a 90th-minute winner against Torino, Roberto D'Aversa's side have now secured an unprecedented place in the semi-finals with two famous victories.

First, the Azzurri overcame Tuscan rivals Fiorentina in the Derby dell'Arno: after a 2-2 draw in Florence, thanks to Sebastiano Esposito's late equaliser, the Azzurri progressed on penalties.

That set up a quarter-final clash with stumbling giants Juventus, and an Empoli side packed with reserves and youngsters managed to cause a major upset in Turin. Just three weeks after being thrashed 4-1 in the league, they battled back to draw 1-1 and then win on penalties.

However, their cup run has come at a time when the Serie A standings have been in free fall, with D'Aversa's men languishing in the relegation zone after a dismal run of 15 top-flight games without a win.

After picking up 19 points from their opening 15 games, they were challenging for a top-half spot, but their fortunes have changed dramatically since the turn of the year.

On Saturday afternoon at the Stadio Sinigaglia, they hit the woodwork twice against Como before going behind on the hour mark, but Christian Kouame's close-range header salvaged a point.

The Fiorentina loanee still had time to tip a late chance over the bar, before a late challenge from Jacopo Fazzini saw one of Empoli's rising stars shown a straight red.

Now, after two 1-1 draws earlier in the season, the Tuscan side return to Bologna looking to put their league woes behind them and take a step towards the cup final.

While Empoli have broken new ground in reaching this stage of the competition, Bologna are back in the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time since 1999.

Spared a first-round exit by playing in Europe, the Rossoblu kicked off this season's competition with an emphatic 4-0 win over Monza, who set up a tricky quarter-final clash with Atalanta BC.

A late strike from star man Santiago Castro sealed victory in Bergamo as Bologna's mid-season revival continued - and they have hardly looked back since.

Looking to pick up where they left off before the international break, the Serie A giants visited Venezia on Saturday and followed up a run of four wins on the spin with another success at the Stadio Penzo.

Two weeks after thrashing Lazio 5-0 on home soil, they needed a spectacular left-footed volley from Riccardo Orsolini to secure maximum points, the Italian winger scoring his 11th league goal of the season.

In doing so, they maintained their grip on a Champions League spot and Vincenzo Italiano's men can dream of a return to UEFA's elite competition next term, with just eight games left to defend a precious top-four spot.

Having joined Italy's elite last year, the Emilian outfit will be keen to crown their success with the elusive silverware: Bologna have lifted the Coppa on two previous occasions, the last time being in 1974.

If they are to meet either Inter or AC Milan at the Stadio Olimpico in May, they will first have to overcome Empoli in a two-legged tie, the second of which will be played at the Dall'Ara.

Recent Performance

Empoli Coppa Italia form:WWWW

Empoli form (all competitions):LWDLLD

Bologna Coppa Italia form:WW

Bologna form (all competitions):LWWWWW

Team News

Part of the reason for Empoli's terrible league form is that they are missing a number of players due to injury, with Scotland midfielder Liam Henderson set to join them on the sidelines through suspension.

The Azzurri's long list of absentees includes Youssef Maleh - who scored against Juve in the quarter-finals - as well as Szymon Zurkowski, Ardian Ismajli, Nicolas Haas, Saba Sazonov and Pietro Pellegri.

In better news for Roberto D'Aversa, Mattia Viti and Jacopo Fazzini returned to action at the weekend, while Tino Anjorin could also be available on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano will be without star striker Santiago Castro, who recently received his first call-up to the Argentina national team. The much-vaunted 20-year-old served his Serie A suspension on Saturday, but is still struggling with a bruised foot.

Thijs Dallinga should continue to deputise up front, with the likes of Dan Ndoye, Jens Odgaard and ex-Empoli loanee Nicolo Cambiaghi providing support. Top scorer Riccardo Orsolini, who recently reached double figures for the third season in a row, is another contender for a starting berth.

After missing the trip to Venice, full-backs Lorenzo De Silvestri (illness) and Charalampos Lykogiannis (ankle) will both be hoping to feature for the Castellani, although they are likely to start from the bench.

Possible starting lineup

Empoli possible starting lineup:

Silvestri; De Sciglio, Marianucci, Viti; Gyasi, Kovalenko, Grassi, Pezzella; Esposito, Cacace; Colombo

Bologna possible starting lineup:

Ravaglia; Holm, Beukema, Lucumi, Miranda; Freuler, Moro; Orsolini, Odgaard, Ndoye; Dallinga