AC Milan vs Bologna: Serie A Preview

Milan’s league campaign has been turbulent, with managerial changes and inconsistent results marking a season of transition. After Paulo Fonseca’s dismissal, Sergio Conceição guided the Rossoneri to Supercoppa Italiana glory and a place in the Coppa Italia final, though European elimination and patchy Serie A form have limited their league impact. Recently, however, Milan have shown signs of revival, adopting a new 3-4-2-1 system that has brought four wins from their last five matches. Monday’s 2-1 victory over Genoa, secured by a goal from Rafael Leão, made it back-to-back league wins and has given them the chance to claim three successive Serie A victories for just the second time this season.

Bologna, by contrast, are enjoying a landmark season under Vincenzo Italiano. Their 1-1 draw with Juventus last week kept them firmly in the race for the top four, sitting seventh but just one point behind the Champions League places with three games left to play. The Rossoblù have already made history in their most recent meeting with Milan, claiming a 2-1 win at Stadio Dall’Ara in February—a result that ended a 17-game winless streak against the Rossoneri in Serie A. They are now aiming to complete their first league double over Milan since 1940, a feat that would give them both a psychological edge ahead of next week’s cup final and crucial points in their bid for a Champions League berth.

Bologna's recent away form, however, has been patchy, with no goals in their last two road trips—defeats to Atalanta and a goalless draw with Udinese. Nonetheless, their overall points tally of 62 keeps them on course to potentially break their club record for points in the three-points-for-a-win era (68, set last season).

In terms of team news, Milan will be without Rafael Leão due to suspension, though Tammy Abraham has returned to full training after a thigh injury and is in contention to feature in attack alongside Luka Jović and Santiago Giménez. Emerson Royal is back from a long injury absence and could make the squad, but Youssouf Fofana remains doubtful with a foot issue. Warren Bondo and Riccardo Sottil are both sidelined.

For Bologna, Emil Holm remains unavailable, so Lorenzo De Silvestri and former Milan defender Davide Calabria are expected to compete for a spot at right-back. Dan Ndoye, who scored the winner in February’s reverse fixture, is also out injured, while Santiago Castro, who netted Bologna’s opener in that game, is pushing for a starting place after being benched in recent weeks. Thijs Dallinga has been preferred by Italiano up front in recent matches and could continue to lead the line.

With Milan seeking a strong finish to an uneven season and Bologna chasing a top-four dream, Friday’s match promises to be an intense and competitive encounter, offering a dress rehearsal for next week's high-stakes cup final.