Empoli take on the visitors Bologna in the first leg of Coppa Italia semifinals. The match will be played on Tuesday, April 1st at Stadio Carlo Castellani (Empoli).
Empoli are constantly fighting for survival in Serie A. Last season, that battle went down to the final matchday, with Empoli and Cagliari narrowly edging out newly promoted Frosinone, finishing just one point ahead (36 vs. 35). Under their new head coach, Roberto D’Aversa, they had a strong start, collecting 10 points in the first six rounds. However, their form quickly deteriorated, and from mid-December onward, they managed only three draws while suffering numerous defeats, dropping into the relegation zone. Despite their league struggles, they have been exceptional in the Coppa Italia, first defeating modest Catanzaro and Torino before eliminating Fiorentina and Juventus on penalties—both times away from home! However, their form remains a concern, as they have won just one of their last eight matches in all competitions.
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Bologna has established itself among the league leaders. The Rossoblù, under Thiago Motta, surprisingly challenged Atalanta for an unusually high fourth-place finish last season. In the end, they fell short by just one point but still earned a historic first-ever Champions League qualification. However, their European campaign was underwhelming, especially after losing their influential manager, who struggled at Juventus, as well as key players like Joshua Zirkzee and Riccardo Calafiori. Nevertheless, in Serie A, they gradually built momentum, particularly from mid-winter, when they started winning regularly—allowing them to go into the March international break in fourth place. In the Coppa Italia, they first demolished Monza before narrowly knocking out Atalanta thanks to a solitary goal. Their defense has been rock-solid, conceding just twice in their last five matches.
Both Serie A encounters this season ended in 1-1 draws. It’s time for Vincenzo Italiano’s men to secure a victory. We back the visitors to win away in the first leg.
Prediction for the match: Bologna to win.
