Bologna and AC Milan will be eager to return to winning ways when they face off at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on Tuesday.
Serie A’s 23rd matchday concludes on Tuesday night at Stadio Dall’Ara, where AC Milan continue their title pursuit with a tricky visit to a Bologna side searching for stability after a sharp downturn in form.
Milan may have dropped points sporadically since the turn of the year, but they remain Inter’s closest challengers in the Scudetto race and continue to grind out results with impressive consistency. Last weekend’s draw against AS Roma extended the Rossoneri’s unbeaten league run to 21 matches, the longest active streak across Europe’s top five leagues, a sequence that stretches back to an opening-day defeat against Cremonese.
That contest followed a familiar pattern. Milan were not at their most fluent, but once again relied on their structure and resilience. After falling behind to a Koni De Winter header, they spent much of the game on the front foot before Roma finally breached their resistance from the penalty spot.
Mike Maignan, fresh off signing a new contract that ties him to the club until 2031, was beaten at last, but Milan still left with their record intact. Under Massimiliano Allegri, the Rossoneri have developed into a side that is extremely difficult to defeat. Their only losses since August have come in knockout competitions, the Supercoppa Italiana defeat to Napoli and a Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Lazio, while their league form has remained relentlessly consistent.
There is also a lingering sense of unfinished business in this fixture. Bologna famously beat Milan in last season’s Coppa Italia final, ending a long wait for major silverware. Milan responded in September with a narrow 1-0 league win at San Siro, decided by Luka Modric’s first Serie A goal, and they now aim to complete a league double.
For Bologna, the contrast could hardly be starker. After last season’s fairytale cup run and early signs of progress under Vincenzo Italiano, the Rossoblu have struggled badly through the winter months. They have won just one of their last 10 Serie A matches, losing six, and have slipped into the bottom half with little momentum to speak of.
Last week’s defeat away to Genoa encapsulated their problems. Leading 2-0 at half-time, Bologna unravelled after goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski was sent off on his return from injury. Conceding three times after the break, including a stoppage-time winner, only deepened the sense of fragility around the squad.
A midweek Europa League win over Maccabi Tel Aviv at least offered a brief reprieve, securing a strong seeding ahead of a knockout playoff tie against SK Brann. Domestically, however, concerns persist. Bologna are winless in five straight home league games, collecting just one point during that spell, and Stadio Dall’Ara has ceased to be the platform it once was.
Historically, Milan tend to enjoy this match-up. Bologna have won just one of the last 20 league meetings, although that solitary success, a 2-1 home win last season, proved pivotal in their cup triumph. Repeating that feat now would require a significant turnaround in confidence and execution. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Bologna FC 1909
Bologna come into Tuesday night’s contest with a relatively settled squad, although their confidence has taken a hit following recent league setbacks. There are no major new injury concerns reported ahead of this fixture, and Vincenzo Italiano will have most of his regular starters available as he looks to arrest the Rossoblu’s slide.
Bologna are also free from suspension issues, which is a small but important positive after last week’s chaotic defeat in Genoa that saw goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski sent off. Skorupski’s availability remains dependent on disciplinary clearance, but overall squad continuity is expected to be stronger than in recent outings.
The hosts will once again rely heavily on their collective structure rather than individual brilliance. With European commitments absent, Italiano has had additional time on the training ground to refocus his side on domestic priorities, particularly tightening up defensively after conceding late goals in several recent matches.
From a tactical standpoint, Bologna are expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, aimed at maintaining midfield balance while allowing their wide players to threaten Milan on transitions. Federico Ravaglia is likely to start in goal, tasked with restoring calm at the back. The defensive line should feature Nadir Zortea at right-back, Martin Vitik and Torbjorn Heggem as the central defensive pairing, and Juan Miranda operating from left-back, providing both defensive cover and forward support.
In midfield, Remo Freuler is expected to anchor the double pivot alongside Tommaso Pobega, with the pair responsible for screening the defence and initiating build-up play. Further forward, Riccardo Orsolini should operate on the right wing, Jens Odgaard through the central attacking midfield role, and Nicolo Cambiaghi on the left, forming a mobile trio behind the striker. Leading the line, Santiago Castro is set to start as the lone centre-forward, tasked with occupying Milan’s centre-backs and providing a focal point for Bologna’s attacks.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ravaglia; Zortea, Vitik, Heggem, Miranda; Freuler, Pobega; Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Castro
AC Milan
AC Milan arrive in Bologna with very few fitness concerns, putting Massimiliano Allegri in a strong position to manage minutes without being forced into changes. The Rossoneri could even name an unchanged starting XI, aided by a relatively light recent schedule compared to their opponents.
The only confirmed absentee remains Santiago Gimenez, who has been sidelined for several weeks and is not expected to return in time for Tuesday’s fixture. Beyond that, Milan report no suspension issues and have a full complement of defensive and midfield options available.
Allegri is also well stocked in attack. Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao continue to be Milan’s primary threats in advanced areas, having combined for 15 Serie A goals this season. Their form has reduced the reliance on a traditional centre-forward, although competition remains intense.
Tactically, Milan are expected to set up in a 3-5-2 formation, emphasising defensive solidity and control through midfield. Mike Maignan is set to start in goal, providing leadership and elite shot-stopping behind the backline. The defensive trio should consist of Fikayo Tomori on the right, Matteo Gabbia as the central organiser, and Koni De Winter on the left, offering a balance of pace, aerial strength, and ball progression.
In midfield, Alexis Saelemaekers and Davide Bartesaghi are likely to operate as wing-backs, responsible for providing width while tracking Bologna’s wide runners. Centrally, Samuele Ricci is expected to sit deepest, supported by Luka Modric, who dictates tempo and distribution, and Adrien Rabiot, whose athleticism and box-to-box presence add balance. Up front, Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao are likely to form a fluid attacking pair, interchanging positions and attacking space behind Bologna’s defence rather than operating as fixed reference points.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, De Winter; Saelemaekers, Ricci, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Pulisic, Leao
Key Stats
- AC Milan are unbeaten in 21 consecutive Serie A matches, the longest active run across Europe’s top five leagues.
- Bologna have won just one of their last 10 Serie A games, losing six during that period as their early-season momentum faded.
- Milan have lost only once away from home in Serie A this season.
- Bologna are winless in their last five home league matches, collecting just one point at Stadio Dall’Ara during that run.
- AC Milan have won 12 of the last 20 Serie A meetings with Bologna, including a 1–0 victory at San Siro earlier this season.
Player to Watch
Rafael Leao
The Portuguese international remains AC Milan’s most decisive attacking weapon, particularly in away fixtures where space tends to open up as games progress. Operating from the left but given license to drift centrally, Leao’s blend of pace, power, and close control makes him extremely difficult to contain in one-vs-one situations.
Against a Bologna side that has struggled to maintain defensive structure late in matches, Leao’s ability to attack tired legs could be crucial. He excels at carrying the ball over long distances, drawing defenders out of position and creating opportunities either for himself or for runners arriving from midfield.
With Milan likely to control territory and wait patiently for openings, Leao’s explosiveness may be the factor that breaks the game open. Having already contributed significantly in league play this season, this fixture suits his strengths perfectly, especially if Bologna are forced to chase the game and leave space in behind.
Prediction
Bologna 0-1 AC Milan
Bologna’s need to rediscover confidence at home is clear, but the current contrast in form and control between these sides is difficult to ignore. Milan continue to manage games expertly, even when not at their fluent best, and their unbeaten league run speaks volumes about their resilience and tactical discipline.
Bologna may have moments of encouragement, particularly early on, but Milan’s structure, depth, and ability to strike at key moments should ultimately prove decisive once again. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 1-0 win for Massimiliano Allegri and his charges.
