Empoli have it all to do when they face Bologna in the second leg of their Coppa Italia semifinal on Thursday night.
With one foot already planted in the Coppa Italia final, Bologna FC 1909 host Empoli FC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Thursday, aiming to seal the deal after a dominant 3-0 victory in the first leg. It has been a season of surprises and steady progress for the Rossoblu, and lifting silverware for the first time in five decades would cap a remarkable chapter in the club’s resurgence.
For Empoli, meanwhile, this second leg is more about preserving energy and pride, with their Serie A survival battle taking top priority. Vincenzo Italiano’s side have been one of the stories of the season in Italy.
Their path to this semi-final has been littered with impressive scalps — Monza, Atalanta, and most recently, a clinical first-leg destruction of Empoli. Riccardo Orsolini’s opener in Tuscany was a symbol of his maturity as a dependable talisman, while Thijs Dallinga’s brace underlined Bologna’s attacking threat from multiple fronts.
Despite a wobble in the league, drawing against Napoli and suffering a 2-0 loss to Atalanta, Bologna rebounded with perhaps their most important win yet: a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Inter Milan. That result reignited their Champions League dream, pulling them back into the top four and showcasing the tactical resilience that Italiano has instilled into the side.
With the second leg at home and holding a three-goal cushion, Bologna are unlikely to take unnecessary risks, especially with five critical Serie A matches left. However, they will not want to drop intensity either as momentum is everything in the business end of the season.
Empoli’s magical cup run has been the perfect antidote to their grim league form. Penalty shootout triumphs over Fiorentina and Juventus were nothing short of heroic, and their place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals is already the furthest they’ve ever gone. But reality has hit hard in the league.
Without a victory in 17 Serie A games, Roberto D’Aversa’s men are locked in the relegation zone with little margin for error. It was evident in the first leg that survival is their focus, as they fielded a rotated squad, giving fringe players minutes and resting key figures for what lies ahead.
That same pragmatic approach is expected again on Thursday. A full-strength push against Bologna would likely prove futile, and with Fiorentina up next in a key survival clash, resting starters is not just sensible, it’s necessary. Empoli’s priority will be damage limitation and avoiding further injuries or fatigue. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Bologna FC 1909
Bologna will approach this Coppa Italia semi-final second leg with cautious rotation, given their healthy first-leg advantage and a key Serie A clash against Udinese looming on the horizon. Manager Vincenzo Italiano has most of his squad available but will still be without several notable names.
Lewis Ferguson remains sidelined with a long-term injury, while full-back Davide Calabria is not yet match fit. First-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski is also ruled out due to a muscle issue, meaning Federico Ravaglia is expected to retain his place between the posts. Centre-back Nicolo Casale is another doubt, struggling with a shoulder problem and unlikely to be risked from the start.
With progression to the final almost secure, Italiano is expected to rotate his lineup while still maintaining enough quality to manage the tie. In defence, Lorenzo De Silvestri is set to start at right-back, with Jhon Lucumi and Sam Beukema forming the central defensive duo and Charalampos Lykogiannis taking up duties at left-back. In midfield, Tommaso Pobega will likely partner Michel Aebischer or Niklas Moro in a double pivot to maintain defensive structure and fluid buildup play.
In attacking midfield, Giovanni Fabbian is tipped to operate centrally with Riccardo Orsolini returning on the right flank and Nicolo Cambiaghi providing width on the left. Up front, Santiago Castro is expected to be preferred to Thijs Dallinga, although both strikers remain in contention to lead the line depending on match rhythm and tactical considerations.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ravaglia; De Silvestri, Beukema, Lucumi, Lykogiannis; Moro, Pobega; Orsolini, Fabbian, Cambiaghi; Castro
Empoli FC
Empoli’s squad depth continues to be tested as they approach the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final with a heavily rotated side due to a series of injuries. Manager Roberto D’Aversa is without several key players, including Youssef Maleh, who memorably netted in the quarter-final win over Juventus, as well as Christian Kouame, Szymon Zurkowski, Nicolas Haas, Saba Sazonov, and Pietro Pellegri.
Adding to their woes, experienced centre-back Ardian Ismajli remains a major doubt due to a knock, further reducing D’Aversa’s defensive options. To cope with the absences, young defenders such as Luca Marianucci and Lorenzo Tosto are expected to step into the starting XI.
The good news for the visitors is the return of Ola Solbakken and Tino Anjorin, both recently recovered from injury. Scottish midfielder Liam Henderson is also available for selection after serving a suspension in the first leg, providing a much-needed boost to the midfield unit.
In terms of formation, Empoli are likely to line up in a 3-4-2-1 setup. Jacopo Seghetti will start in goal behind a back three comprising Mattia De Sciglio on the right, Luca Marianucci in the central role, and Lorenzo Tosto on the left.
On the flanks, Emmanuel Gyasi and Giuseppe Pezzella will operate as wing-backs, offering width and support in both defence and attack. In midfield, Liam Henderson is expected to partner Viktor Kovalenko to provide stability and energy in the centre of the park.
Further forward, Ola Solbakken and Jacopo Fazzini will function as dual attacking midfielders just behind the lone striker Lorenzo Colombo, who will lead the line for Empoli and attempt to breach Bologna’s defence in what will be a tough uphill battle for the Tuscan side.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Seghetti; De Sciglio, Marianucci, Tosto; Gyasi, Henderson, Kovalenko, Pezzella; Solbakken, Fazzini; Colombo
Key Stats
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Bologna have lost just one of their last 15 matches at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara across all competitions, winning five of the last six, including a recent 2-1 victory over Inter Milan.
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Empoli are winless in their last 17 matches in all competitions and have scored just six goals in their last 10 outings, highlighting their attacking struggles.
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Bologna have not reached the Coppa Italia final since 1974, while Empoli had never made it past the quarter-finals before this season’s campaign.
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Riccardo Orsolini has now been directly involved in four goals in his last three Coppa Italia appearances (3 goals, 1 assist), including the opener in the first leg of this tie.
Player to Watch
Riccardo Orsolini
With Bologna on the verge of reaching their first Coppa Italia final in 50 years, all eyes will naturally fall on Riccardo Orsolini, the club’s creative talisman and top scorer this season. The Italian winger has been instrumental in Bologna’s impressive cup run and Serie A campaign, contributing with decisive goals and assists at critical moments, including the opener in the 3-0 win during the first leg against Empoli.
Known for his quick feet, precise delivery, and ability to cut inside from the right flank onto his favoured left foot, Orsolini poses a constant threat to any backline. His flair and composure in one-on-one situations make him a nightmare for defenders, especially against a makeshift and injury-hit Empoli defence that struggled to contain him in the reverse fixture.
With Bologna expected to rotate in other areas of the pitch, Orsolini’s presence offers Vincenzo Italiano much-needed continuity in attack. If Bologna are to confirm their place in the Coppa Italia final, expect Orsolini to play a starring role once again, whether through creating opportunities, unlocking defences with his dribbling, or finding the net himself.
Prediction
Bologna FC 1909 3-0 Empoli FC (Bologna wo win 6-0 on aggregate)
Bologna are expected to manage the game smartly, keeping possession, controlling tempo, and using their wing-backs to stretch a potentially weakened Empoli side. Don’t expect high-octane pressing; conservation of energy will be key, but set-pieces and wide overloads will be avenues they explore.
Empoli will likely sit deep in a low block, hoping to frustrate the hosts and perhaps snatch a consolation on the counter. Tino Anjorin and Matteo Cancellieri may be tasked with providing transitional moments, though chances are expected to be limited.
With form, firepower, and home advantage, Bologna should cruise through to their first Coppa Italia final in 50 years. Empoli are expected to rotate and focus on Serie A survival, and while they may keep things tight early on, Bologna’s quality will ultimately shine through.