Empoli challenges Bologna in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final

by Simone CioniEMPOLIA almost exactly eight months later this evening theEmpoli returns to tread the pitch of the Dall'Ara Bologna. Last August 31st was the third day of Serie A and the Azzurri came out unscathed from the field of Italiano's rossoblù (1-1 with all goals scored at the start by Fabbian and Gyasi), this time the Bologna stage will be 'staged' by the return semi-final of the Italian Cup. The clear 3-0 with which Bologna conquered the Carlo Castellani-Computer Gross Arena in the first leg, effectively closed the qualification issue after just 90 minutes, but Empoli will try in every way to honor the commitment, even if inevitably at this moment the derby next Sunday in Florence is much more important for the penultimate day of Serie A, where the Azzurri are hunting for precious points to reach a salvation which would be 'miraculous'. "Of course, whoever takes the field will have to do so with the maximum of their potential - D'Aversa commented on the eve -, I ask the boys to take the field with the aim of enjoying a Coppa Italia semi-final, with the desire and spirit to compete with an opponent who is superior on paper, who is doing important things at the moment. From the point of view of the starting eleven, however, we still have to evaluate who is more capable, taking into account the expenditure of physical and mental energy last Sunday against Venezia, both in terms of volumes but also of the high speed maintained for large parts of the match. There will certainly be some players who will not leave with us to stay in Empoli to work with personalized programs". The main suspects, in addition to Ismajli, are Pezzella, who is coming from debilitating days due to a virus, Viti, who has continued to grit his teeth for several games now, but also Fazzini and Anjorin. The first should not be at risk after the severe bruise suffered to the shoulder four days ago, while the English midfielder, decisive against Venezia, will be spared since he returned only on Sunday after more than two months of stoppage. Ample space therefore for the youngsters Seghetti, Tosto, Bacci and Konate, but also for the various De Sciglio, Sambia and, even if it is not yet clear with what minutes, the match will also be played by Ebuehi and Solbakken. "Both came on very well against Venezia - admits the Italian coach -. Solbakken is a player with great potential because he is complete, he just needs to find the right key to be able to demonstrate it with continuity. I did not know Ebuhei, but he is a player that we have missed and who will certainly give his contribution from now until the end of the season. Even if of course we must think about the fact that he has been really very fit. We will see about the minutes, also taking into account the match on Sunday against Fiorentina". The focus at Empoli is and remains the salvation, even more so after the severe defeat in the first leg, but for this very reason the Azzurri will be able to take to the field a little more carefree, trying to give continuity to the last good performances, which in terms of confidence could then prove decisive in the final rush. "We are aware of Bologna's strength - concludes D'Aversa -, but we will go onto the field as if it were a one-off match".