Empoli-Bologna 0-1
MARKER: 48'st Fabbian.
EMPOLI (3-4-2-1): Caprile 8; Bereszynski 6.5, Wakukiewicz 6.5, Luperto 6; Gyasi 6 (20'st Kovalenko 6), Marin 6, Maleh 5.5, Pezzella 5 (1'st Cacace 6); Cambiaghi 6.5 (29'st Cerri sv), Zurkowski 5.5 (20'st Ebuehi 6); Niang 5 (29'st Caputo sv). On the bench: Perisan, Berisha, Goglichidze, Bastoni, Shpendi, Destro. Coach: Nicola 6
BOLOGNA (4-2-3-1): Skorupski 6; Beukema 7 (27'st Corazza 5.5), Lucumì 6.5, Calafiori 7, Kristiansen 5.5; Freuler 6.5, Ferguson 6 (33'st Aebischer sv); Ndoye 5 (11'st Orsolini 5.5), Urbanski 6.5 (33'st Fabbian 7), Saelemakers 6.5; Odgaard 5.5 (27'st Castro 6). On the bench: Bagnolini, Ravaglia, Ilic, Moro, El Azzouzi, Lykogiannis, De Silvestri. Coach: Motta 6.5.
REFEREE: Blacksmiths of Ravenna 5.
NOTE: rainy evening, approximately 16,000 spectators with 5000 visiting fans. Booked: Luperto, Pezzella, Maleh, Freuler. Corners: 7-6 for Empoli. Recovery: 0'; 7'.
Elia Caprile tried to double-lock his door but the golden boy, Fabbian, moved the needle, in full recovery. After a shot from Calafiori, again blocked by the Empoli goalkeeper, it was the centre-forward's flick that made the blue net swell and decided the championship advance on the Tuscans' turf in Bologna's favour. The Empoli goalkeeper had been the protagonist of at least 4-5 important saves which were giving a golden point to his team, engaged in the fight for salvation. After an initial study phase, Bologna takes control of the game and collects a couple of important opportunities. First a header from Beukema following a corner from Saelemakers Niang unravels. Then, in the 18th minute, a double chance for the rossoblù, following the development of a corner. First Beukema with a header, then Urbanski with a right foot, Caprile blocks both shots. Action in photocopy immediately afterwards with Beukema still from Caprile while Urbanski finds Walukiewicz in his path. Empoli reacts first with a shot just over the top from Zurkowski and then raising their center of gravity a little. In the 39th minute Ndoye shoots without fail but Caprile is ready.
At the end of the half, a sensational sprint by Niang who runs 40 meters with the ball at his feet then Beukema, in desperate recovery, saves everything by harpooning the ball at the moment of the blue attacker's shot on goal. In the second half Empoli makes a big statement with Cambiaghi who serves Niang, a turn on the outside and a high ball. Bologna turns to Orsolini to return to attacking. In the quarter of an hour Saelemakers crossed for Odgaard's header, a high ball. Shortly afterwards Odgaard himself arrives a second late to Freuler's cross. 10' from the end Saelemakers, all alone, flies towards Caprile but the Empoli goalkeeper saves his goal once again. In the 40th minute Orsolini, from two metres, shoots incredibly high. Bologna dives into attack towards the end, also taking advantage of Ebuehi's injury until they find the goal with Fabbian who recovers yet another Caprile's clearance from Calafiori's shot and gives vent to the joy of the 5000 fans of a team, that of Motta, always most successful in the Champions League area.