Saturday’s Serie A action kicks off at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara as surprise package Bologna and defending champions Milan face each other in a high-stakes match-up. European dreams are still alive for the hosts, while the visitors fight tooth and nail to secure a third straight top-four finish.
Not many sides have done better than Bologna in 2023. Thiago Motta’s side stunned Atalanta 2-0 in Bergamo last Saturday. That result marked their sixth triumph in ten league matches (D2, L2) and helped them move within five points of a coveted sixth place. But in some projections, a seventh-place finish could open the door to continental qualification.
Even if they miss out on a first European qualification since 1999/2000, Bologna seem to be on course to finish ninth or better in Serie A for the first time since 2011/12. However, boosting their chances in a highly-competitive European race will require the Rossoblu to upset the odds for the second weekend in a row and overcome reigning champions Milan.
Following an underwhelming 0-0 home league draw against bottom-half Empoli, Stefano Pioli’s team eked out a massive 1-0 win over Napoli in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday. Ismael Bennacer’s first-half strike fired the Rossoneri to an all-important victory, providing some consolation for a disappointing domestic season.
Having won just one of their last five league matches (D2, L2), Milan should be grateful for starting this round in fourth. But since only one point separates them from fifth-placed Inter, the visitors must return to winning ways to consolidate their top-four charge and alleviate some pressure on Pioli’s shoulders.
Match Preview
Bologna
After going winless in three consecutive Serie A games in early March (D2, L1), Bologna have won their last two league outings without conceding. As a result, they could make history on Saturday by winning three top-flight matches ‘to nil’ in a row for the first time since 1973. It may appear far-fetched at first glance, but there’s a reason for optimism.
Motta’s men have registered a clean sheet in their last three league fixtures at Renato Dall’Ara (W2, D1), shutting out non-other than Inter and Lazio in that run. However, there’s a piece of unwanted history that could pin Bologna to the wall here. The Rossoblu are winless in their last 16 top-flight meetings with Milan on home turf (D4, L12).
Player to Watch: Musa Barrow
With Riccardo Orsolini and Marko Arnautovic unavailable for selection, all eyes will be on Musa Barrow, who’s tallied more goal contributions in Serie A in April than any other player. The Gambia international has clocked up one goal and three assists this month.
Milan
A jaw-dropping 4-0 demolition of runaway Serie A leaders Napoli on Milan’s last road trip may tuck the visitors into a false sense of security. But Pioli’s men would be well advised to avoid getting complacent, considering they had gone winless on three consecutive travels in all competitions beforehand (D1, L2).
Moreover, after drawing a blank against Empoli last time out, Milan could go back-to-back league games without scoring for the first time since April 2022. Ominously for the visitors, one of those scoring blanks came against Bologna. Adding to Pioli’s list of concerns, his men have suffered four defeats in their last six Serie A matches away from home (W2).
Player to Watch: Theo Hernandez
Milan captain Theo Hernandez enjoys playing against Bologna. He has managed one goal and two assists in his six Serie A appearances against the Rossoblu, so he’ll warrant special attention.
Team News
In addition to long-term absentees Andrea Cambiaso and Arnautovic, Bologna will be without captain Roberto Soriano, who picked up an injury at Atalanta last weekend. That triumph in Bergamo came at a hefty price, as Orsolini accumulated yellow cards and will have to remain on the sidelines.
As for Milan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be the only player to miss out on this trip after Pierre Kalulu regained full fitness. The Frenchman and Malick Thiaw will stake their claim for a place in the starting lineup should Pioli decide to rest veteran defender Simon Kjaer.
Bologna vs Milan Potential Lineups
Bologna (4-2-3-1): Lucasz Skorupski; Stefan Posch, Jhon Lucumi, Adama Soumaoro, Giorgos Kyriakopoulos; Jerdy Schouten, Nicolas Dominguez; Michel Aebischer, Lewis Ferguson, Musa Barrow; Nicola Sansone.
Milan (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Pierre Kalulu, Fikayo Tomori, Malick Thiaw, Theo Hernandez; Rade Krunic, Tommaso Pobega; Alexis Saelemaekers, Charles De Ketelaere, Ante Rebic; Divock Origi.
Bologna vs Milan Prediction
With Milan’s minds currently stuck in Champions League dreamland, Bologna could snap their woeful H2H run against the Rossoneri despite lacking several key first-team players.
However, we expect to see a share of the spoils in what promises to be a low-scoring affair.
Prediction: Draw
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