GdS: Predicted XIs for Bologna vs. AC Milan – Allegri forced to use unprecedented attack

After the drama of deadline day, AC Milan will return to action on the field tonight, taking on Bologna away from home.

Milan come into the game at the Stadio Renato dall’Ara under pressure to win after Inter, Napoli and Juventus all did over the weekend. Massimiliano Allegri’s side are battling another injury bug, and have drawn three of six games in 2026 so far.

Bologna vs. Milan: Predicted starting XIs

The bad news concerns Alexis Saelemaekers and Christian Pulisic. Both have been ruled out of making the trip with injuries that have been bugging them in the recent period. Santiago Gimenez will also be out as he continues to recover from surgery, while Rafael Leao is only fit enough for the bench.

As a result, La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Allegri will use the so far unseen front two of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christopher Nkunku, with the former playing just behind the latter. Zachary Athekame comes in on the right side for Saelemaekers too, as per the paper.

Davide Bartesaghi will be the left wing-back, with Adrien Rabiot, Luka Modric and Youssouf Fofana the midfield trio ahead of Koni De Winter, Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic in defence. Mike Maignan – fresh off a renewal until 2031 – remains between the posts.

Predicted Milan XI (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, De Winter; Athekame, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Nkunku, Leao.

Predicted Milan bench: Terracciano, Pittarella; Pavlovic, Odogu, Estupinan; Jashari, Ricci, Loftus-Cheek; Füllkrug.

Predicted Bologna XI (4-2-3-1): Ravaglia; Zortea, Vitik, Heggem, Lykogiannis; Moro, Ferguson; Rowe, Bernadeschi, Dominguez; Dallinga.

Predicted Bologna bench: Pessina, Casale, De Silvestri, Helland, Miranda, Pobega, Odgaard, Sohm, Freuler, Castro, Cambiaghi, Immobile, Orsolini.

ℹ️ The predicted XIs for #BolognaMilan, according to @Gazzetta_it.

🤔 Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/vIqZ44OxvQ

— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) February 3, 2026