AC Milan back in Serie A after UCL maiden win against Brugge.
Bologna vs
Milan
This Saturday at Stadio Dall'Ara, Bologna aims to break a two-decade winless streak at home against AC Milan, who seek to build momentum after a midweek Champions League revival, promising a captivating clash of contrasting Serie A fortunes.
Bologna
Bologna will return to action after a 2-0 loss to table-topping Aston Villa in the league phase of the revamped UEFA Champions League. Managed by Vincenzo Italiano, the team has drawn six of its first eight Serie A matches [6D, 1W, 1L]. They remain winless against Milan in their last 18 encounters at Dall'Ara, a streak dating back to 2002.
Following a frustrating 2-2 draw with Genoa, where they squandered a two-goal lead, the Rossoblu need to elevate their performance significantly. They aim to climb into the upper half of the table as they currently sit 12th with 9 points [1W, 6D, 1L]. Bologna have earned three draws in a row [DWDDD].
With torrid form against Saturday’s opponents on home turf, Bologna could see their three-game winless run extend to four. The hosts have not defeated Milan in 18 home games [0W, 5D, 13L]. Italiano is expected to deploy a 4—2—3—1 formation with Santiago Castro in attack.
Bologna are dealing with significant absences, including Nicolo Cambiaghi and Lewis Ferguson, who are sidelined due to injury.
Milan
Milan finally found their footing with a midweek victory, reviving their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 win over Club Brugge. Christian Pulisic opened the scoring with a direct corner, and despite playing with ten men after a red card, Brugge managed to equalise against the odds.
Milan responded through Tijjani Reijnders, who scored twice to secure the win and redeem himself after a previous dismissal in league play. A win over Bologna would mean back-to-back victories for Milan, following a hard-fought 1-0 win over Udinese last weekend, moving them into 4th place with 14 points.
A victory over Bologna would also extend Milan’s unbeaten run against them in Serie A to 18 games, having maintained this record in 17 previous matches. Under the management of Paulo Fonseca, Milan has received more red cards than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues since last season, totalling 11, with three this season alone.
For this match, Milan will be without French left-back Theo Hernandez and Tijjani Reijnders due to suspension from accumulated yellow cards. Meanwhile, Pulisic, in top form and having contributed at least one goal in his last seven Serie A appearances, will look to continue his streak, a feat only surpassed by Zlatan Ibrahimović in the past two decades.
