Riccardo Orsolini delivered an outstanding performance as Bologna secured a commanding 3-0 victory against Empoli in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final. The winger downplayed discussions about a potential Italy recall, despite impressing national team coach Luciano Spalletti who was present at the match.

Bologna dominated the game from the start, with Orsolini opening the scoring before Thijs Dallinga added two more goals. This result puts the Rossoblu in a strong position to reach their third-ever Coppa Italia final, having previously won the trophy in 1970 and 1974.

Orsolini, speaking to Sport Mediaset after the match, emphasized the importance of maintaining respect for their opponents in the second leg. He stated, “We’ve established a solid foundation for what could be an extraordinary achievement, but there’s still another match to play.”

The 28-year-old attacker has now scored 13 goals this season across all competitions, setting a new personal record. When asked about his chances of returning to the national team, Orsolini remained focused on his club performance: “My priority right now is Bologna. We’ve developed into a formidable team, and the Bologna jersey is my primary concern at the moment.”

Looking ahead to the potential final against either Milan or Inter, Orsolini maintained a modest approach: “May the best team win. Football is unpredictable, so we’ll savor this moment and see what unfolds. We’ll know our opponent after the second leg.”

Bologna’s impressive victory not only highlights their growing strength as a team but also showcases Orsolini’s individual brilliance, potentially putting him back in contention for a spot in the Italian national team.