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If AC Milan are to continue fighting in the Scudetto, then Tuesday’s game against Bologna is must-win, especially considering their recent form.
As the last game of the weekend, Milan come into this needing a result. Failing to do so could write them off for the title. Nevertheless, just getting three points would also strengthen their bid for the Champions League spots, which is a must regardless.
Massimiliano Allegri stated that the bar must be raised by his squad during his pre-match press conference, especially against a side who are out of form and looking for a result to reinvogerate their Serie A season.
Game date: Tuesday, February 3
Kick-off time: 20:45 (CET)
Venue: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara
Referee: Gianluca Manganiello (VAR: Mazzoleni)
Team news
It has been a bit hit and miss recently for the Rossoneri, and the draw against Roma certainly has not helped things with questions asked about the efficiency of this team. Nevertheless, they remain unbeaten since the first game of the season.
Bologna, who are experiencing a really rough patch, then, should be a perfect opportunity to get some confidence flowing. Though, it cannot be expected that Vincenzo Italiano’s men will roll over for three points.
It seems Allegri will have to make a few changes for this game too. Alexis Saelemaekers looks set to miss this game. Elsewhere, Christian Pulisic has not made the trip either, whilst questions can also be asked about Rafael Leao’s condition.
Unfortunately, it appears that Allegri could be forced into some unconventional decisions with his front line, with recoveries not guaranteed at this stage, as he said during his press conference.
“Saelemaekers won’t be there, this adductor issue is still bothering him. He made himself available in Rome but had a minor injury. Pulisic has this bursitis that’s bothering him. If he’s better today, we’ll bring him.
“Leao, who’s managing his adductor-pubis situation, will be there. The others are all alive, so we’ll take them to Bologna.”
The fact that he’s describing players as ‘alive’ certainly does not fill you with confidence.
In defence, it seems Koni De Winter may start once again on the left of the Diavolo’s back three. After his goal, it could be seen as harsh to replace him, so a decision will be made there before the game.
Barring that, it seems Allegri will pick a pretty standard team. Mike Maignan, therefore, will start in the between sticks behind Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia and the Belgian.
Zachary Athekame could take Saelemaekers’ spot on the right, but then it is effectively an orthodox midfield. Luka Modric at the base with Youssouf Fofana returning to partner Adrien Rabiot, who sits on the left next to Davide Bartesaghi.
Finally, if Leao can play, he will start next to Christopher Nkunku. If he is unavailable, though, reports suggest that it will be Ruben Loftus-Cheek who will be given the nod.
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.
Injuries & suspensions: Gimenez, Saelemaekers, Pulisic.
The opponents
After the final matchday of 2025, Bologna sat pretty comfortably in sixth. Even if a few cracks were visible, it seemed that they would be able to continue on their run into the second half of the season. However, this has not been the case.
Since the turn of the year, they have only won once in Serie A – a questionable 3-2 victory against Hellas Verona – whilst their only other success came in the Europa League last week, against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Barring that, 2026 has certainly not been too kind to the Rossoblu. In fact, their losing four of their eight fixtures so far would make many suspect that the Rossoneri come into this game as heavy favourites.
Whilst their opening three fixtures were fairly difficult, Inter (3-1), Atalanta (0-2) and Como (1-1), you would expect a European contender to have gotten more than they have so far this year.
In terms of absences, Vincenzo Italiano has to contend with only two potential issues. Skorupski seems likely to miss this fixture, so Ravaglia looks likely to be given the nod, whilst Lucumi will be assessed before the game.
After their European clash in midweek, it does seem likely that a few changes will be made in the Diavolo’s favour. Orsolini, Freuler and Castro are all expected to be among the substitutes, which can only be seen as a good thing from Allegri’s perspective.
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.
Injuries & suspensions: Skorupski, Lucumi.
Head to head
Tuesday’s encounter will be the 191st played between the two sides, with Milan having the edge historically, winning 89 of the clashes. Then, it is a decent drop to the 54 Rossoblu wins, whilst the spoils have been shared 47 times.
Last season, it was Bologna who were left smiling, winning their home leg and also the Coppa Italia, which put a large dampner on the Diavolo’s season. Dan Ndoye’s goal was crucial in the capital, and it marked the need for change.
When the two sides met earlier this season, the Rossoneri won by a singular goal. Luka Modric was the decider that day, and the Rossoneri will hope that the Croatian can play a big part again this week.
Key facts and stats
➤ Milan have the chance to extend their run without defeat to 22 Serie A matches when they travel to face Bologna to Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Tuesday.
➤ Milan’s last league match resulted in a 1-1 draw against Roma at Stadio Olimpico to extend their unbeaten streak to 21, leaving them in second place on 47 points. The Rossoneri are five points behind first-placed Internazionale. The Rossoneri lead fifth-placed Juventus by five points for a spot in the Champions League.
➤ Bologna sit in ninth place on 30 points, having scored 32 goals and conceded 27. With 16 matches left, the Rossoblu trail sixth-placed Como by 10 points for a spot in the Conference League Qualifiers. Bologna were defeated 3-2 in their last Serie A match at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris against Genoa.
➤ Milan won the last Serie A meeting between the teams, emerging victorious 1-0 at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in September. Luka Modric scored the lone goal for the Rossoneri in the 61st minute.
➤ Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leão have been the leading attacking threats for Milan, scoring eight and seven times, respectively. Pulisic is tied for second among the league’s top scorers in 2025/2026, while Leão is tied for sixth.
➤ Two players who have caught the eye for Bologna this season are Riccardo Orsolini and Santiago Castro. Orsolini is the side’s leading scorer with seven goals. Castro has been nearly as impressive, netting six times.
➤ Hosts Bologna have four wins, two draws, and four losses this season in 10 Serie A contests on home soil. The Rossoblu are in the midst of a five-match Serie A home winless streak dating to December 2025 against Cremonese.
➤ Milan have not been defeated in league away matches this season with six wins and five draws on the road. The Rossoneri are on an 11-match away unbeaten streak. They haven’t been defeated in a Serie A away game since May 2025 against Roma.
➤ In their last six league matches, Bologna have won one, drawn one and lost four. Milan, meanwhile, have won three and drawn three in their last six.
Ones to watch
With Jean Philippe Mateta’s move to the Rossoneri now off, there is a lot of pressure on Christopher Nkunku to perform. The Frenchman was the big addition in the summer, and he needs to prove that Milan can rely on him.
Then, Zachary Athekame has a chance to show that he can be the deputy for Alexis Saelemaekers. Questions have been asked about the young Swissman, and this is as good a chance as any to prove any doubters wrong.
For the hosts, Lewis Ferguson could control the game if he is allowed to, so the Diavolo must be especially careful where he is involved. With the ability to control the game from deep, or threaten from near the box, he is a player to be wary of.
Benjamin Dominguez is also one player to watch for the Rossoblu, especially against an untested Athekame. If the young winger is given chance to threaten, he will. So, the Rossoneri must be careful on Tuesday night.
Prediction
Bologna’s recent form means they are there to be taken advantage of, and Milan must do that if they are serious about the Champions League places, let alone the Scudetto. After recent games, the pressure is on for Allegri’s side, and this is a great chance to prove they can cope and thrive with it.
Bologna 0-2 Milan
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