Serie A Round 9 Rescheduled Clash: AC Milan’s Risky Tactics vs. Bologna’s Composed Approach

The upcoming rescheduled fixture between AC Milan and Bologna on February 28 (Beijing time) could prove decisive in the race for Champions League qualification. With Milan suffering a demoralizing exit from the Champions League and a recent Serie A defeat, their lead over fourth-placed Juventus has now extended to eight points. The Rossoneri are desperate to close the gap. Bologna, on the other hand, finds itself level on points with Milan but trailing due to goal difference. While their ambitions for a top-four finish are evident, their expectations remain more grounded compared to Milan’s rich history and stature. This difference in pressure could play a crucial role in the game’s outcome.

Bologna’s Struggles in Their Last Match

Bologna’s most recent outing was a disappointing 0-2 defeat to Parma, a match where they never truly gained control. Under new head coach Cristian Chivu, Parma displayed remarkable fighting spirit, pressing aggressively from the start and catching Bologna off guard. The Rossoblù were forced into a defensive posture early, struggling to cope with Parma’s intensity.

An unfortunate injury to Adrián Bernabé early in the match might have given Bologna an opportunity to dictate proceedings, but instead, they fell into further disarray. Offensively, their performance was highly inefficient, with 16 total shots but only one on target—a clear sign of their lack of creativity and finishing ability in the final third.

Even Riccardo Orsolini’s introduction off the bench did little to change the game. His best attempt sailed just over the crossbar, and a penalty claim was waved away. Meanwhile, Dan Ndoye had a promising header saved by Ayaka Suzuki, only for the play to be ruled offside. Defensively, Bologna’s struggles were equally apparent.

• 37th minute: A defensive error led to a handball in the box, gifting Parma a penalty, which Adrian Boni calmly converted.
• Second half: Another costly mistake in midfield allowed Simon Sohm to pounce and fire past the helpless Bologna defense, sealing the game.

Adding to Bologna’s woes, former Milan captain Davide Calabria, who recently joined on loan, made his first start for the club but endured a disappointing debut. With Milan unlikely to recall him in the summer, his future remains uncertain.

AC Milan’s Tactical Gambles Backfire

Milan’s struggles are just as concerning. Their 2-1 defeat to Torino last weekend was another morale-damaging blow. Hoping to bounce back from their Champions League elimination, Stefano Pioli’s men instead found themselves in early trouble, conceding within just five minutes after a disastrous mix-up between goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender Jan-Carlo Simic.

If that wasn’t bad enough, Christian Pulisic had a golden chance to equalize but missed a crucial penalty, further deflating the team’s morale. Only a handful of players, such as Tijjani Reijnders, displayed the necessary intensity to fight back. It was Reijnders’ second-half goal that salvaged some dignity for Milan, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.

Remarkably, the Dutch midfielder has emerged as Milan’s top Serie A scorer this season, a scenario few would have predicted before the campaign began. Along with Pulisic, he is one of just two Milan players to have reached double-digit goals in all competitions. The fact that a midfielder—not Rafael Leão or any of Milan’s strikers—has carried the scoring burden speaks volumes about the team’s attacking inconsistencies.

In a bid to shake things up, Pioli has been experimenting with an ultra-aggressive four-forward formation featuring Pulisic, João Félix, Leão, and Giménez. However, this approach has left the midfield dangerously exposed.

• Double pivot struggles: Yunus Musah and Reijnders were overwhelmed, unable to balance both attack and defense. Musah was even withdrawn within ten minutes of the second half due to his yellow card risk.
• Defensive vulnerabilities: Against Torino’s well-organized defense, Milan’s lack of midfield structure meant they struggled to break down their opponents, often leaving themselves open to counterattacks.

What This Means for the Milan-Bologna Clash

With both teams sitting just outside the Champions League spots, this match could be a defining moment in their respective seasons. While neither side is out of contention, a defeat here might spell the end of their realistic top-four hopes.

• For Milan: A congested February schedule has drained their energy, making a quick recovery difficult. Their aggressive approach could prove risky again, especially against a Bologna side looking to absorb pressure and hit on the counter.
• For Bologna: Unlike Milan, they enter this game with significantly lower expectations. This could work in their favor, allowing them to play with less pressure and capitalize on Milan’s fatigue and tactical imbalances.

With Bologna set to defend deep and Milan prone to defensive lapses, this game could be closer than many expect. If Milan fails to find attacking cohesion, Bologna has a genuine chance to frustrate them and steal a result.