Empoli Vs Bologna

Unbeaten in 2025, Bologna aims to build on their first-ever Champions League victory with a visit to struggling Serie A side Empoli on Saturday. Despite their remarkable 1-0 triumph over last season's Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund, Bologna is still headed for an early exit from the European competition. However, they remain firmly in the race for another top-five finish in Serie A, which would secure them European football for next season.

Bologna’s remarkable start to 2025 comes on the heels of a disappointing run at the start of the season. After suffering four losses in their first six games and managing only two points, the team seemed destined for an early exit from both domestic and European competitions. Yet, a recent 2-1 win against Dortmund has injected fresh optimism into the squad. This victory, coming on Tuesday night, saw Bologna capitalize on second-half goals from Thijs Dallinga and Samuel Iling-Junior, who were both instrumental in securing the points after coming off the bench. The result also marked a rare bright spot in their UEFA Champions League campaign, as their performance in Europe has largely been disappointing since their return to the competition. Despite their win against Dortmund, Bologna’s early struggles mean they are unlikely to progress beyond the group stage.

However, their domestic form has been much more promising. Bologna’s most recent league outing saw them defeat Monza 3-1, a victory that kept them in seventh place in the Serie A standings. With 33 points from 20 matches, Bologna is not only in a stronger position than they were at this time last season, but they are also enjoying their best start to a Serie A campaign since the turn of the century. This performance has kept them ahead of major clubs like AC Milan and Roma, further cementing their place as serious contenders for a European spot. Their current tally of 32 goals is also the highest they have scored at this stage of a league season in nearly 60 years, a testament to the attacking style instilled by manager Vincenzo Italiano.

Italiano’s approach, blending solid defensive organization with an effective and fluid attacking system, has clearly paid off. His success has built upon the foundations laid by his predecessor, Thiago Motta, who started the process of improving Bologna’s fortunes. Although their early exit from the Champions League seems almost inevitable, Bologna’s league performances this season have kept their spirits high, and their top-five aspirations remain intact. Bologna’s defensive organization has also been crucial to their rise in the standings. The squad has looked much more solid than in previous seasons, with a defensive unit that has proven resilient despite their early struggles in Europe. Their ability to bounce back from setbacks, such as their disappointing start to the season, speaks volumes about the mentality Italiano has instilled in his players.

Looking ahead to their trip to Empoli, Bologna enters the match with an impressive record of three consecutive games without defeat against the Azzurri. Their most recent visit to Stadio Castellani saw Bologna secure a dramatic 1-0 win, with a goal coming deep into the final moments of the game, leaving Empoli with little time to respond. In total, Bologna has defeated Empoli in four of their last six encounters, with the other two results being draws. Despite this strong record, Bologna is aware of the challenge Empoli presents, especially at home, where they have historically been difficult to beat.

Empoli’s current form, however, is anything but encouraging. The Azzurri have lost five of their last six league matches, a sharp contrast to their previously solid performances earlier in the season. Over the course of their first 19 matches, Empoli had suffered just five defeats, which suggests that their recent slump is an anomaly rather than a sign of deeper issues. Yet, these recent setbacks have left the team dangerously close to the relegation zone, with their only victory in the past month coming against fellow relegation candidates. The team’s defensive vulnerabilities have been exposed in recent weeks, and manager Davide Nicola will be keen to address these issues ahead of Saturday’s clash.

In Empoli’s most recent match, they faced a formidable opponent in Inter Milan, and although forward Sebastiano Esposito scored against his parent club, the team ultimately fell to a 3-1 defeat. The loss continued Empoli’s difficult season and underscored the challenges they have faced in trying to secure points against stronger opposition. Prior to that defeat, Empoli had suffered a similar loss to Lecce, which only furthered their struggles at home. At Stadio Castellani, Empoli has managed just one win and seven points in total this season, an alarmingly poor record for a team that had previously prided itself on its home form.

A loss to Bologna would mark Empoli’s fourth consecutive defeat at home, a record that would be unprecedented in their Serie A history. The team has yet to endure such a negative streak at Stadio Castellani, and manager Nicola is undoubtedly desperate to avoid further deterioration in form. The next few matches are crucial for Empoli, as they face the very real prospect of dropping into the relegation zone if their struggles persist. For Nicola and his players, Saturday’s match is not just another game; it is a must-win encounter that could determine their survival in Italy’s top tier.

Given their recent form and historical trends, Bologna will certainly be the favorites heading into this matchup. They have shown resilience in the face of adversity this season and will look to continue their strong league form by taking all three points from Empoli. For Empoli, however, the pressure is mounting, and failure to secure a positive result could have dire consequences for their Serie A status. Despite the historical context and Bologna’s superior form, Empoli will be eager to turn their fortunes around and prove that their recent struggles are not a reflection of their true potential. It promises to be an intriguing clash between a team on the rise and one battling to stay afloat.