Bologna advances to face AC Milan in Italian Cup final

By: The Associated Press Posted: 4:07 PM CDT Thursday, Apr. 24, 2025

BOLOGNA, Italy (AP) — Bologna advanced past Empoli to reach its first Italian Cup final in more than half a century on Thursday.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

BOLOGNA, Italy (AP) — Bologna advanced past Empoli to reach its first Italian Cup final in more than half a century on Thursday.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/04/2025 (524 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BOLOGNA, Italy (AP) — Bologna advanced past Empoli to reach its first Italian Cup final in more than half a century on Thursday.

Thijs Dallinga’s 87th-minute header earned Bologna a 2-1 win and the team advanced 5-1 on aggregate.

Giovanni Fabbian opened the scoring for Bologna with a header seven minutes in. Then Viktor Kovalenko equalized for Empoli in the 30th by turning in a rebound to finish off a counterattack.

Bologna's Giovanni Fabbian, right, is congratulated Sam Beukema after scoring the opening goal during an Italian Cup semifinal soccer match between Bologna FC and Empoli FC at Renato Dall'Ara Stadium, Thursday, April 24, 2025, Bologna, Italy. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

Bologna won the first leg 3-0.

In the May 14 final in Rome, Bologna will face AC Milan, which eliminated city rival Inter Milan on 4-1 aggregate following a 3-0 win on Wednesday.

Bologna last reached the Cup final in 1974, when it claimed its second title in the competition.

It’s the fourth final for Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano in three seasons, having guided Fiorentina to the last two Conference League finals and the Cup final in 2023.

The Cup winner earns a spot in the Europa League. But Bologna is currently fourth in Serie A and on course to qualify for the Champions League for a second straight season.

Last weekend, Bologna beat Serie A leader Inter Milan 1-0 in the Italian league.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer