Bologna got off to the perfect start and practically put the tie out of sight after just seven minutes, as Giovanni Fabbian headed into the far bottom corner after meeting Nikola Moro’s cross at the back post.
The hosts almost doubled their lead immediately, as Charalampos Lykogiannis’ shot was pushed over by Jacopo Seghetti from fairly close range.
Empoli grew into the first half though with Ola Solbakken particularly threatening, as the striker poked just wide on the break before Federico Ravaglia fumbled his strike following a well-worked set-piece routine.
The visitors did manage to pull a goal back before half time through Viktor Kovalenko, who tapped into an empty net after Ravaglia parried Solbakken’s initial shot - the first goal Bologna conceded in the competition this season.
The Rossoblu were the stronger team early in the second half though, as Nicolò Cambiaghi poked just over before goalscorer Fabbian forced Seghetti to push his powerful long-range drive away.
Substitute Nicolás Domínguez was lively when he came on, and he could have made sure of a home win on the night when his effort flew narrowly over, while Thijs Dallinga - who netted twice in the first leg - also struck inches wide in the latter stages.
The striker made no mistake when presented with a second chance though, as similar to Fabbian’s goal in the first half, he headed Lykogiannis’ cross down into the opposite corner to make sure Bologna won both legs.
As a result, the hosts stretched their unbeaten home run since the turn of the year to 11 games in all competitions, and avoided a third successive stalemate against Empoli this season as they prepare to meet AC Milan in the final.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Thijs Dallinga (Bologna)
