Having sensationally knocked out local rivals Fiorentina and fallen giants Juventus in previous rounds, Empoli made it into the Coppa Italia's last four for the very first time, and they welcomed Bologna to Tuscany for Tuesday's first leg.

The hosts were simply swept aside, though, as Italy's form team cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win, with Roberto D'Aversa's much-changed side having just a third of the ball and recording only a single shot on target.

That defeat leaves the Azzurri with a surely impossible task for the second leg at Stadio Dall'Ara, which will take place later this month, so their fight for top-flight survival continues to take priority.

During an awful slump, Empoli have lost seven of their last eight home games - including all of the last four without even scoring - and their last league win anywhere dates back to December.

Another failure this week would equal the club's longest winless streak in Serie A: 16 matches, set between the end of 2021 and April 2022.

Last weekend, Christian Kouame scored his first league goal for almost a year, securing a point away to Como, but they still sit inside the drop zone with just eight rounds remaining.

Though they were beaten 2-0 in September's reverse fixture, Cagliari have avoided defeat in their last two away games against Empoli, having lost on six of their seven previous top-flight trips to Stadio Castellani.

The Rossoblu's boss Davide Nicola - a renowned survival specialist, who saved Empoli's skin last season - now returns to Tuscany aiming to guide his current club further away from danger.

Three second-half strikes saw the Sardinian side claim victory over rock-bottom Monza last week, as they pulled clear of the relegation zone: Nicolas Viola, Gianluca Gaetano and Zito Luvumbo all helped themselves to goals after half time.

Six points above their hosts before Sunday's game, Cagliari are therefore on course to avoid demotion and could secure a third straight season in Serie A.

They are still far from the finish line, though, so posting back-to-back league wins for the first time in a year is their next target.

On current form, they may fancy their chances in Empoli; however, Nicola's men have won just one of their last 12 away fixtures - and none since beating Monza in January.

Empoli possible starting lineup:

Vasquez; Goglichidze, Marianucci, Viti; Sambia, Grassi, Henderson, Pezzella; Esposito, Cacace; Kouame

Cagliari possible starting lineup:

Caprile; Zappa, Mina, Luperto; Zortea, Adopo, Prati, Augello; Viola, Felici; Piccoli