In a thrilling match that had fans on the edge of their seats, Bologna secured a historic victory over Empoli to advance to the Italian Cup final for the first time in over 50 years. The hero of the night was Thijs Dallinga, whose 87th-minute header sealed the deal for Bologna with a 2-1 win, advancing them 5-1 on aggregate.
The game kicked off with Giovanni Fabbian setting the tone for Bologna with a powerful header just seven minutes into the match. However, Empoli fought back valiantly, with Viktor Kovalenko equalizing in the 30th minute by capitalizing on a rebound during a counterattack.
Bologna’s road to the final will culminate in a showdown against AC Milan on May 14 in Rome. AC Milan secured their spot in the final by eliminating city rivals Inter Milan with an impressive 4-1 aggregate score after a stunning 3-0 victory.
This will be Bologna’s first appearance in the Cup final since 1974 when they claimed their second title in the competition. Coach Vincenzo Italiano is no stranger to finals, with this being his fourth final in three seasons. Italiano previously led Fiorentina to the last two Conference League finals and the Cup final in 2023.
The stakes are high in the Italian Cup final as the winner will earn a coveted spot in the Europa League. Despite their Cup success, Bologna is currently sitting in fourth place in Serie A and is on track to qualify for the Champions League for the second consecutive season.
Bologna’s momentum is undeniable, as evidenced by their recent 1-0 victory over Serie A leaders Inter Milan in the Italian league. Fans can expect an electrifying final between Bologna and AC Milan as both teams vie for glory in one of Italy’s most prestigious competitions.
