Bologna vs Empoli

Stadio Renato Dall’Ara is the venue as Bologna and Empoli go head-to-head in the return leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final tie.

Bologna hammered Empoli 3-0 in the first leg of this semi-final tie to set one foot in the Coppa Italia final for the first time since winning the trophy in 1973/74. Vincenzo Italiano’s charges have since blown hot and cold against Serie A’s top-three teams (W1, D1, L1), including a last-gasp 1-0 home victory against reigning champions Inter Milan at the weekend. Defensive solidity has been central to Bologna’s dominant Coppa Italia run, as they’ve yet to concede this season. Furthermore, they’ve taken the lead at halftime in two of their three cup wins on their way to the final four, suggesting they’re in a perfect position to protect their unbeaten home record at Dall’Ara in 20205 (W8, D2). Yet, Italiano’s managerial record against Empoli indicates this encounter could end all square (W3, D6, L2).

Adding to this sentiment, Empoli held Bologna to a draw in both league meetings this season as they continue to fight against the drop. Gli Azzurri must become the first team to overcome a 3-0 first-leg defeat in the Coppa Italia semi-final since Inter in 2016 to reach the showpiece event. However, that could prove easier said than done for out-of-sorts Empoli, whose only win since early December came on penalties in this competition’s quarter-final (D6, L13). Moreover, Bologna have been a bogey team for visiting manager Roberto D’Aversa, who laments a dismal 0% win ratio across 13 previous managerial H2Hs (D6, L7). He’ll unlikely buck that disastrous trend, though a draw is a realistic possibility, with three of Empoli’s last five away games ending 1-1.