Dallinga double hands Bologna advantage at Empoli
Thijs Dallinga was at the double as Bologna took control of its Coppa Italia semi-final tie against Empoli with a 3-0 win in the first leg.
Bologna most recently won the Coppa Italia in 1974, but has one foot in the final in 2025 after a dominant display at Empoli.
Empoli knocked out Juventus after a penalty shootout to reach its first semi-final, but this time the contrasting Serie A form of both sides showed, as the relegation-threatened host was outclassed by UEFA Champions League-chasing Bologna.
The visitors took the lead in the 23rd minute when Jens Odgaard crossed from the left and while Dallinga attracted the attention of two defenders, the ball fell kindly to the unmarked Riccardo Orsolini, who drove his first-time shot into the net.
Bologna doubled its advantage six minutes later, with Dallinga tucking away a perfect throughball from Dan Ndoye.
Its scoring was rounded off early in the second half as the duo combined again, Dallinga sliding in to finish off Ndoye's pass across goal.
Empoli has a mountain to climb in the second leg on 25 April (AEDT).
The winner of the tie will meet either AC Milan or Inter Milan, which play their semi-final first leg on Thursday (AEDT).
