Previous winners of the competition Bologna came close to opening the scoring straight from kick-off as Dallinga forced a fine save from Empoli’s cup goalkeeper Jacopo Seghetti.
A minute later, Riccardo Orsolini nearly accomplished what strike partner Dallinga could not, but the Italian forward frustratingly ended up firing his effort wide of its intended target.
The visitors’ determination eventually paid off in the 23rd minute, as Orsolini expertly managed to fire the ball past Seghetti in front of national manager Luciano Spalletti.
Things then went from bad to worse for Empoli six minutes later as Dan Ndoye’s defence-splitting pass allowed Dallinga to take a deft touch before steering his strike into the far corner of the net.
The home side managed their first shot on target six minutes before the break, with Lukasz Skorupski preserving his clean sheet by smartly stopping Ola Solbakken’s effort.
Empoli’s hopes of producing a sensational comeback lasted no more than six minutes of the second half, as a carbon copy of the second goal saw Ndoye put it on a plate for Dallinga to bag a brace.
Orsolini should have then put the tie to bed in the 68th minute, but on this occasion, the striker, seeking a first international call-up since June, failed to beat Seghetti.
Nonetheless, it had no bearing on Bologna’s one-sided venture to Tuscany, as the high-flying Rossoblu head into the second leg, scheduled for later this month, clear favourites to lock horns with either AC or Inter Milan in the final.
Meanwhile, Empoli’s wait to lift their first-ever trophy looks likely to have to wait at least another year, with Roberto D'Aversa’s side’s attention surely focused on their fight for Serie A survival.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Thijs Dallinga (Bologna)
