Two teams facing difficulties in the Champions League will shift their focus to domestic football on Saturday, as Bologna welcome AC Milan to Stadio Dall’Ara. Milan gained some momentum with a crucial midweek win, while Bologna continue to struggle both in Serie A and Europe.
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AC Milan’s Revival in Europe
Milan had a tough start to their Champions League campaign, losing their first two matches. However, they bounced back with a 2-1 victory against Club Brugge at San Siro. Christian Pulisic scored directly from a corner, putting Milan ahead before Brugge equalized.
Despite playing against 10 men, it took goals from substitutes Noah Okafor and Samu Chukwueze to secure the win, with Tijjani Reijnders delivering the decisive strike.
Reijnders’ redemption was timely, having been sent off in the previous league match against Udinese, where Milan held on to a 1-0 win despite being a man down for over an hour. Discipline remains a concern for Milan, with the team receiving more red cards than any other side in Europe’s top five leagues since last season.
While Milan have struggled on the road, winning only one of their first four away games in Serie A, they have a favorable record against Bologna. They are unbeaten in their last 17 league encounters with the Emilian club, winning 13 of those meetings.
Bologna’s Struggles Continue
Bologna have not beaten Milan at Stadio Dall’Ara since 2002, and their current form doesn’t suggest an end to this poor run. After squandering a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Genoa last week, Bologna have now drawn six of their first eight Serie A matches. One more draw would set a new club record.
Though Vincenzo Italiano’s side has lost just twice since August, both defeats came against Premier League opposition. In the Champions League, Bologna have yet to score or earn a point after three consecutive losses, most recently falling 2-0 to Aston Villa.
Their form in Serie A sees them sitting in 13th place, far from the top-five finish they achieved last season.
Key Players and Team News
AC Milan will be without key players Theo Hernandez and Tijjani Reijnders, both serving suspensions. This opens the door for Samu Chukwueze or Noah Okafor to feature in the starting lineup.
Alvaro Morata is expected to lead the attack, with Christian Pulisic continuing his impressive form in Serie A, where he has contributed to a goal in each of his last seven appearances.
For Bologna, Nicolo Cambiaghi, Oussama El Azzouzi, Martin Erlic, and Lewis Ferguson are all unavailable, while Michel Aebischer is doubtful due to injury. The attacking line could see Santiago Castro or Thijs Dallinga start.
Predicted Outcome
Bologna have dropped eight points from winning positions this season, and after last week’s slip-up, they come into this match with low confidence. Milan, on the other hand, have the upper hand and will likely take advantage of their opponent’s vulnerabilities to secure their third consecutive win.
