Serie A | Gameweek 36

May 9, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

AC Milan vs Bologna

Match preview

Benefiting from a new tactical system that has produced four wins from five games, Milan are clearly looking to end their chaotic campaign on a high.

The Rossoneri sacked Paulo Fonseca midway through the season before Sergio Conceicao immediately led them to victory in the Supercoppa Italiana, only to see them limp out of Europe and continue to struggle in Serie A.

However, the Lombard giants recently defeated arch-rivals Inter to reach the final of the Coppa Italia, which was followed by back-to-back away wins in the league.

On Monday night, Rafael Leao - with less defensive work to do in Milan's new 3-4-2-1 formation - found the net in a 2-1 win over Genoa to complete the club's latest comeback under Conceicao.

As a result, they will be looking to win three successive league games for only the second time this season - and for the first time since September - when they host Bologna in a double-header on Friday.

Milan may have all but given up on continental qualification through Serie A, but a win over the Rossoblu in Rome next week would secure their first Coppa Italia for 22 years and book their ticket to Europe.

After a run of 13 defeats and four draws against Milan in the top flight, Bologna finally prevailed in their last meeting, with the Emilian club fighting back from Leao's opener to win 2-1 at the Stadio Dall'Ara in February.

The last time Bologna completed the league double was in 1940, and they would love to do it again for at least two reasons.

Firstly, it would give Vincenzo Italiano's side a psychological boost ahead of Wednesday's cup final, and secondly, they need the points to stay in the hunt for Champions League qualification.

After last week's 1-1 draw at home to Juventus, the Rossoblu are seventh in the standings - one of four teams separated by a single point and all chasing fourth place.

A crucial 10 days lie ahead, with a league and cup clash against Milan followed by a Derby dell'Appennino clash with old rivals Fiorentina.

With three games to go, Italiano and co have 62 points on the board, which could see them surpass the club record of 68 set last season.

However, Bologna have failed to score in either of their last two away games - a 2-0 defeat to Atalanta BC and a 0-0 draw with Udinese - and now visit a sleeping giant that appears to be awakening from its slumber.

Recent Performance

AC Milan Serie A form:LDWLWW

AC Milan form (all competitions):DWLWWW

Bologna Serie A form:WDLWDD

Bologna form (all competitions):DLWWDD

Team News

Although Rafael Leao is suspended, Tammy Abraham has returned to full training after missing Monday night's game against Milan with a thigh problem and could be in contention for a place up front alongside Luka Jovic and Santiago Gimenez.

Emerson Royal, who recently returned from a lengthy lay-off, is also in contention for a place in the squad, while Youssouf Fofana is still struggling with a foot injury and will be assessed closer to the game. Warren Bondo (ankle) and Riccardo Sottil (thigh) are both out.

Joao Felix and Kyle Walker came on as substitutes at the Stadio Ferraris in Genoa, and they head a queue of contenders for a place in the hosts' starting XI.

While Sergio Conceicao can afford to make changes with a top-seven finish looking unlikely, his Italian counterpart will need a full-strength side at the San Siro.

Santiago Castro, who scored Bologna's opener in the reverse fixture before Dan Ndoye's late winner, will be hoping for a recall. However, Dutch striker Thijs Dallinga has been the Italiano's preferred choice of late.

With Emil Holm set to join Ndoye on the treatment table, Lorenzo De Silvestri and former Milan captain Davide Calabria will battle it out at right-back.

Possible starting lineup

AC Milan possible starting lineup:

Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Jimenez, Loftus-Cheek, Reijnders, Hernandez; Pulisic, Felix; Jovic

Bologna possible starting lineup:

Skorupski; Calabria, Beukema, Lucumi, Miranda; Freuler, Ferguson; Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Dallinga