In a bid to secure their fifth consecutive Serie A victory, AC Milan is gearing up to face Bologna at San Siro after a dramatic 3-2 comeback against Udinese last weekend.
The Rossoneri aim to keep pace with the top two in the league, while Bologna seeks a resurgence after a recent dip in form.
Match Preview:
Last weekend’s match against Udinese was marred by racist chanting, leading to a temporary halt in proceedings.
Despite the controversy, Milan rallied with two late goals from Luka Jovic and Noah Okafor. Stefano Pioli’s squad has shown resilience, winning their last four matches and scoring three goals in each of the last three outings.
Bologna, however, faces a challenging period, slipping to eighth place after a promising start to the season. Recent struggles, including a 2-1 loss to Cagliari, have dampened their momentum.
The Emilian club faces an uphill battle against Milan, who are unbeaten in 16 league games against them.
Milan’s dominance over Bologna is evident in their unbeaten streak, which stretches back to the opening day of this season.
The Rossoneri have won 13 out of 16 league encounters against Bologna, including a convincing 2-0 victory earlier in the current campaign. Bologna’s last away goal against Milan dates back to July 2020.
Despite their struggles, Bologna holds fond memories of San Siro, having staged a stunning comeback against Inter in the Coppa Italia at the end of the previous year.
However, that momentum has since stalled, and Bologna finds themselves in need of a fresh start after a two-week hiatus.
Team News:
Injuries to Malick Thiaw, Fikayo Tomori, and Pierre Kalulu leave Milan with a consistent back four, featuring Matteo Gabbia alongside Simon Kjaer in the center.
Stefano Pioli is expected to retain his midfield pairing of Yacine Adli and Tijani Reijnders, while Olivier Giroud leads the attack.
For Bologna, Stefan Posch serves a one-match ban, paving the way for Lorenzo De Silvestri at right-back. Key players like Adama Soumaoro and Dan Ndoye are sidelined due to injuries.
Milan’s attacking trio of Noah Okafor, Luka Jovic, and top scorer Olivier Giroud will be crucial in breaking down Bologna’s defense.
For Bologna, Alexis Saelemaekers and leading scorer Joshua Zirkzee return, providing Thiago Motta with valuable attacking options.
Form Guide:
Milan’s recent form has been impressive, winning four consecutive Serie A matches. Their overall form in all competitions shows a mix of victories and a recent loss to Cagliari in the Coppa Italia.
Bologna, however, has faced a dip in form with one point from their last three Serie A games and a recent loss to Cagliari. The unexpected two-week break could either refresh or disrupt their momentum.
Possible Lineups:
AC Milan: (4-2-3-1)
Maignan;
Calabria, Kjaer, Gabbia, Hernandez;
Reijnders, Adli;
Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao;
Giroud
Bologna: (4-2-3-1)
Skorupski;
De Silvestri, Beukema, Calafiori, Kristiansen;
Freuler, Aebischer;
Orsolini, Ferguson, Saelemaekers;
Zirkzee
Prediction: AC Milan 2-1 Bologna
With AC Milan’s strong home record, winning eight of 10 games and conceding only five goals, they are likely to overcome a struggling Bologna side.
The prediction leans towards a 2-1 victory for Milan, as they look to maintain their pursuit of Serie A’s top spots. Former Bologna coach Stefano Pioli is poised to outmaneuver Thiago Motta in this encounter.