BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 24: Roberto D’Aversa, Head Coach of Empoli, helps Riccardo Orsolini of Bologna to his feet during the coppa Italia Semi Final match between Bologna FC and Empoli at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 24, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Roberto D’Aversa feels Empoli leave the Coppa Italia semi-final against Bologna ‘with our heads held high’ and the regrets were for the first leg result.
The Tuscans had already performed a miracle by reaching their first ever Coppa Italia semi-final, eliminating Torino, Fiorentina and Juventus along the way.
However, the 3-0 first leg defeat at home was too much to overcome and they also capitulated 2-1 at the Stadio Dall’Ara this evening, going out 5-1 on aggregate.
Giovanni Fabbian and Thijs Dallinga headers proved decisive around a temporary Viktor Kovalenko equaliser, turning in the rebound from a parried Ola Solbakken strike.
“We leave this historic semi-final with our heads held high,” D’Aversa told Sport Mediaset.
“The regret is the first leg, where we made unforced errors against one of the best teams in Italy right now. The lads played with focus this evening. If we have this same spirit in the remaining Serie A matches, then we can fight and prove that we deserve to stay in the top flight.”
With the relegation battles in mind, D’Aversa left out several players including Sebastiano Esposito and Tino Anjorin, on top of the on-going injury crisis.
“I chose Solbakken because I wanted to see what he could do, while Konate and Kovalenko had a good game. It’s hard to be happy after losing, but we gave it our all.”
D’Aversa had a very special message to conclude the interview, because he had experience as the coach of Lecce, so was particularly shaken by the news this morning that their historic physiotherapist Graziano Fiorita had died suddenly.
“I want to send an embrace to the Fiorita family, who suffered a terrible shock. He was someone I worked with and was very fond of.”
D’Aversa had also sent a message to Fiorita on his Instagram account earlier today.
“I am shocked, sad and profoundly pained by the loss of Graziano Fiorita. He was an excellent physiotherapist and a lovely person, who knew how to create team spirit, and I was very fond of him.
“He used to joke around, calling me ‘maestro,’ but had unbeatable professional rigor and focus too. Always ready to lend a helping hand, positive and competent.
“An exemplary father, husband and man. I will always carry Graziano in my heart, with the fun memory of our enjoyable video calls with Giovanni, the kit man.
“I send an embrace to his family, who he was in love with, and to all of Lecce.”
