The “news” of the 2024-25 Coppa Italia is undoubtedly Empoli’s presence in the semifinals, with the Tuscan side making a mockery of a competition that, according to the most cynical, seems to have been created specifically 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 in contention for a place in the final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, having beaten Fiorentina and Juventus in the previous rounds, both away from home and on penalties. It is a real ‘miracle’ for a team that is seriously threatened with relegation, unable to climb out of third-last place in the table. Empoli, in fact, has not won a league game in months, with their last victory dating back to early December. Last Saturday, they earned a valuable draw in Como (1-1), but it was not enough to catch Lecce in fourth place (the Salento side, also in crisis, still have two points more).
Bologna bursting with health
Ahead of their delicate clash with Cagliari, D’Aversa’s men will try to work another ‘magic’ in the cup against Bologna, their opponents in the semi-final doubleheader.
For the Felsinei, 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, securing a historic qualification for the Champions League, his successor Vincenzo Italiano is on track to do even better. In the league, the Emiliani know only how to win, and on Saturday they secured their fifth consecutive victory away to Venezia, beating them 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 games are enough to make your hands shake (Napoli, Atalanta, and Inter). In the meantime, Italiano can turn his attention to the Coppa Italia, which he came close to winning 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 selection problems: the only player unavailable is Lykogiannis. Empoli, on the other hand, will be without Ismajli, Zurkowski, Sazonov, Maleh, Anjorin, and Pellegri. With the league in mind, D’Aversa will field a team full of reserves. And if this is indeed the case, the fact that even a ‘small’ club is snubbing the chance to reach the final raises doubts about the format and value of a cup that is in need of revolution.
Odds comparison
Bologna are priced at 1.80 to win on Goldbet, Lottomatica and Snai. The “Under 2.5” bet is priced 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, Empoli managed to hold Bologna to a draw both in Tuscany and in the Emilian capital (1-1 on both occasions). The feeling is that, although the championship remains – rightly so – at the forefront of the Azzurri’s minds, 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.
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.