Note: Reporting from Kozhikode, Kerala, India on Friday, April 25, 2025.
Bologna secured their place in the Coppa Italia final for the first time since 1974 after completing a comfortable semi-final victory over Empoli on Thursday night. A 2-1 win in the second leg at their Stadio Renato Dall’Ara sealed a commanding 5-1 aggregate triumph.
Holding a 3-0 advantage from the first leg, Bologna effectively ended the tie as a contest just seven minutes into the return match when midfielder Giovanni Fabbian headed in unmarked from a Nikola Moro cross.
Empoli did manage to get on the scoresheet in the 33rd minute when Viktor Kovalenko slotted home a rebound after Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia parried Ola Solbakken’s angled drive.
However, Bologna had the final say four minutes from time when Thijs Dallinga met a cross to head in their second goal of the night, wrapping up the 5-1 aggregate win.
The victory means Bologna will contest the Coppa Italia final for the first time since they lifted the trophy 51 years ago in 1974.
“It was a goal, the dream of this city and the club: we have honoured this competition from the start, and when you reach the final stretch, everyone wants to go all the way,” Bologna manager Vincenzo Italiano told Mediaset. “We dedicate this final to the people of Bologna, who support us tremendously.”
Bologna will face AC Milan, who defeated rivals Inter Milan 4-1 on aggregate in the other semi-final, in the final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on May 14th. Italiano added: “We know we’re facing a team of champions, but we’ll try to use our strengths. We can’t wait to get to Rome.”
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