Bologna vs AC Milan: Serie A Match Preview and Prediction – Football Betting Odds, Tips & Live Predictions

📅 Date: 27/02/2025
⏰ Kick-off: 20:45 (CET)
🏟️ Venue: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna, Italy

Match Overview

Bologna hosts AC Milan at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara for a crucial Serie A fixture. Both sides are battling for important points — Bologna pushing for a European spot, while Milan aims to stay in the Serie A title race. With the season hitting a critical stage, this match could have significant implications for both teams’ ambitions.

The atmosphere in Bologna’s home ground will be electric, with the Rossoblù eager to pull off an upset against the Rossoneri.

Team Form and Analysis

🔴 Bologna’s Current Form

Under Thiago Motta, Bologna has shown remarkable progress this season. They’ve developed a well-structured, possession-based style of play, blending youthful energy and experience. Their home form has been solid, making them a tricky opponent for any visiting team.

Strengths: Strong midfield control, organized defense, and effective set-pieces.
Weaknesses: Lacks consistent goal scorers, often struggling to break down low blocks.

Key Players:

Riccardo Orsolini: Bologna’s main attacking threat — his pace, dribbling, and goal-scoring ability from the right wing can cause Milan’s defense problems.
Lewis Ferguson: A crucial box-to-box midfielder — his work rate and ability to join attacks from deep will be key.
Joshua Zirkzee: The young striker will aim to use his physicality and technical ability to trouble Milan’s backline.
Lukasz Skorupski: Bologna’s reliable goalkeeper — his shot-stopping and command of the box will be tested.

Bologna will look to control the tempo and use quick transitions to expose Milan’s high defensive line.

⚫ AC Milan’s Current Form

AC Milan, led by Stefano Pioli, is firmly in the hunt for the Serie A title. The Rossoneri have shown their attacking quality this season, with Rafael Leão and Olivier Giroud leading the charge. However, their defensive vulnerability on the road has cost them vital points.

Strengths: Fluid attacking play, quick wing play, and set-piece efficiency.
Weaknesses: Defensive lapses, especially against teams pressing high.

Key Players:

Rafael Leão: Milan’s superstar winger — his explosive pace, dribbling, and goal threat will be a nightmare for Bologna’s defense.
Olivier Giroud: The veteran striker remains crucial — his link-up play, aerial presence, and finishing ability are vital.
Theo Hernández: A dynamic left-back — his overlapping runs and crossing will add attacking firepower.
Mike Maignan: Milan’s reliable goalkeeper — his quick reflexes and leadership from the backline are essential for keeping Bologna at bay.

Expect Milan to push for an early goal, using their wide players to stretch Bologna’s defense and create space for Giroud.

Head-to-Head Record

Recent meetings: Milan has dominated this fixture in recent years, winning the last five encounters against Bologna.
Last season: Milan edged Bologna 2-1 at the Dall’Ara and comfortably won 2-0 at San Siro.
Key stat: Bologna has not beaten AC Milan since 2016, highlighting Milan’s dominance in this fixture.

Tactics and Game Plan

Bologna’s approach:
Thiago Motta is likely to stick to a 4-2-3-1 formation, aiming to control midfield and use wide players like Orsolini and Zirkzee to exploit Milan’s defensive gaps. They may press high early to unsettle Milan’s build-up play.
AC Milan’s approach:
Pioli will opt for a 4-3-3 system — Leão and Pulisic providing width, with Giroud as the target man. Expect Milan to dominate possession and rely on Theo Hernández’s overlapping runs to create chances from the left side.

Key battle: Leão vs. Posch — if Bologna’s full-back cannot contain Leão, it could be a long night for the hosts.

Weather and Pitch Conditions

Venue: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara — a slightly tighter pitch compared to Milan’s San Siro, which could favor Bologna’s compact style.
Weather: Cold and clear — perfect conditions for a fast-paced Serie A match.

Match Prediction

Prediction: Bologna 1-2 AC Milan

Goal Scorers:

Bologna: Riccardo Orsolini (62’)
Milan: Rafael Leão (28’), Olivier Giroud (77’)

Reasoning:

Milan’s attacking firepower: With Leão and Giroud in form, Milan should have enough quality to break Bologna’s defense.
Bologna’s home advantage: The hosts will make it tough, but their lack of clinical finishing may cost them.
Experience matters: Milan’s experience in high-pressure games should give them the edge in the final stages.