AC Milan staged another comeback on Monday night, overturning a 1–0 deficit to beat Genoa 2–1 at San Siro and extend their tally of points recovered from losing positions to a league-high 19 this season. The result not only lifted spirits but also kept their faint hopes of European qualification alive, with the Rossoneri sitting six points adrift of the top six in Serie A and only three matches left to play.
With pressure mounting, Milan now turn their attention to Bologna, aiming for a third consecutive league victory. That would be their best run of form since September and, perhaps more significantly, provide a psychological advantage ahead of next week’s Coppa Italia final where the two sides will meet once more.
The cup competition may represent Milan’s most realistic route into Europe given their patchy domestic form, having won just four of their last 13 home league matches. With a poor return of draws and losses at San Siro, Milan know anything less than three points could all but end their pursuit of continental football.
For Bologna, the stakes are equally high. The club returned to Champions League action this season for the first time since 1964–65 and remain in contention to repeat the feat, trailing the top four by just a single point. They approach the match under Vincenzo Italiano’s guidance with just one defeat in their last ten league games, a run that began with a win over Milan in the reverse fixture. However, their recent form shows signs of vulnerability with three draws and one loss from their last five outings.
A trip to Milan comes at a testing time for Bologna, who have struggled away from home in recent months. They have managed just two wins from their last eight away matches, drawing four and losing two. Yet the incentive of securing a first top-flight double over Milan in 85 years could provide the push they need. To do so, they must also end a long drought at San Siro, where they have not won since January 2016.
Among the key players, Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders has a reputation for late drama, with eight of his ten league goals this season arriving as the final strike for his team. Bologna will look to Riccardo Orsolini to end his poor personal record against Milan. Despite failing to win in 11 previous head-to-heads, he has scored in nine of Bologna’s last ten victories, highlighting his importance to their attacking threat.
One stat to note is Bologna’s slow starts. They have failed to score before half-time in nine of their last 11 league matches, including the reverse fixture. With European football at stake for both clubs, tonight’s encounter may be defined as much by nerve as by quality.
