The “news” of the 2024-25 Coppa Italia is certainly Empoli’s presence in the semifinals, with the Tuscans making a mockery of a competition that, according to the most malicious, since this format has existed, seems to have been deliberately created to ensure that the big teams reach the final stages without any major problems.
Following in the footsteps of Cremonese’s incredible run in the 2022-23 season, Roberto D’Aversa’s Azzurri are also vying for a place in the final at the Olimpico in Rome. In the previous rounds they beat Fiorentina and Juventus, both times away from home and after penalties. A real “miracle” for a team that at the same time is seriously in danger of being relegated, as they are still in third to last place in the league. In fact, Empoli have been unable to win a league game for months: their last victory was at the beginning of December. Last Saturday, meanwhile, Como achieved a valuable draw (1-1) but it wasn’t enough to catch Lecce in fourth from bottom (the Salento team, also in crisis, are still 2 points ahead).
Bologna are in great shape
While waiting for the delicate direct match against Cagliari, D’Aversa’s men will try to work another “magic” in the cup with Bologna, the Tuscans’ opponent in the double semifinal.
For the Bolognese, on the other hand, the Coppa Italia is a fairly concrete dream. The Rossoblù have entered a new dimension: if Thiago Motta did very well last year, winning a historic qualification for the Champions League, his successor Vincenzo Italiano is on the right track to do even better than him. In the league, the Emilians only know how to win and on Saturday they achieved their fifth win in a row away to Venezia, beaten 1-0 thanks to a goal from the usual Orsolini. Bologna have therefore defended their fourth place with their fingernails, even if the next three matches are ones that will make your hands shake (Napoli, Atalanta and Inter). In the meantime, Italiano can turn his attention to the Coppa Italia, which he already came close to two seasons ago with Fiorentina: taking Bologna to Rome to play for a trophy would be no small feat.
Compared to his colleague D’Aversa, the Rossoblù coach has far fewer problems with his lineup: the only unavailable player is Lykogiannis. At Empoli, on the other hand, Ismajli, Zurkowski, Sazonov, Maleh, Anjorin and Pellegri will not be playing. And D’Aversa, thinking about the league, will send out a lineup full of reserves. And if this is really the case, thinking that even a “small” team is snubbing the chance to go to the final, it raises some doubts about the format and value of a cup that should be revolutionized.
Odds comparison
Bologna’s victory is quoted at 1.80 on Goldbet, Lottomatica and Snai. The “Under 2.5” sign is quoted at 1.65 on Goldbet, Lottomatica and Snai.
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The prediction
The two teams have already faced each other twice this season and curiously enough Empoli managed to hold Bologna to a draw both in Tuscany and in the regional capital of Emilia (1-1 on both occasions). The feeling is that, although the championship remains – rightly – at the forefront of the Azzurri’s thoughts, D’Aversa’s team will do everything they can to make things difficult for the Rossoblù, who remain favorites in any case. As in the last three previous matches, the total number of goals could be less than three.
The probable line-ups for Empoli-Bologna
EMPOLI (3-4-2-1): Seghetti; De Sciglio, Marianucci, Tosto; Gyasi, Bacci, Grassi, Cacace; Fazzini, Solbakken; Colombo.
BOLOGNA (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Holm, Beukema, Lucumì, Miranda; Pobega, Freuler; Dominguez, Odgaard, Ndoye; Dallinga.