Bologna sealed their first Coppa Italia final appearance since 1974 with a commanding 2-1 victory over Empoli on Wednesday, completing a 5-1 aggregate win in the semi-final.
The Rossoblu wasted no time asserting control, opening the scoring inside seven minutes. Giovanni Fabbian rose at the far post to guide Nikola Moro’s cross into the bottom corner, effectively ending Empoli’s slim hopes of a comeback.
Charalampos Lykogiannis came close to doubling the lead shortly after, but his effort was tipped over by Jacopo Seghetti.
Empoli slowly settled, with Ola Solbakken looking lively and Viktor Kovalenko eventually pulling one back, capitalizing on a rebound after Federico Ravaglia parried Solbakken’s initial shot. It was the first goal Bologna had conceded in this season’s competition.
Bologna reasserted dominance in the second half, testing Seghetti again through Fabbian’s long-range effort.
Substitute Nicolás Domínguez and first-leg hero Thijs Dallinga both went close before the latter sealed the win late on, heading home Lykogiannis’ delivery to mirror Fabbian’s opener.
Bologna’s victory extends their unbeaten home run in all competitions to 11 matches and sets up a tantalizing Coppa Italia final showdown with AC Milan.
