AC Milan took on Bologna in a Serie A match that felt less like a league game and more like a dress rehearsal for the Coppa Italia final. Seriously, both teams fielded their strongest lineups – you could practically feel the tension in the air at the San Siro.
Familiar Faces and High Stakes
It was a bit surreal seeing several players lining up against their old clubs. Added to that, the upcoming Coppa Italia final in Rome gave this match an extra layer of importance. It wasn't just about three points; it was about momentum, confidence, and maybe even a little bit of psychological warfare.
A Calculated Risk
Both managers had a tough choice to make: go all-out for the win, or prioritize keeping their key players fresh for the big game on May 14th? It was a risky balancing act, no doubt.
Lineup Changes and Notable Absences
Milan was missing Rafael Leao due to suspension, a significant blow. Bologna, meanwhile, had several key players out – Jens Odgaard's absence was particularly felt, given it's their first Coppa Italia final in over fifty years! This opened the door for some fringe players to step up, with Milan starting Luka Jovic, Joao Felix, and Christian Pulisic.
The Starting Lineups
AC Milan Starting XI: Mike Maignan; Davide Calabria, Fikayo Tomori (Malick Thiaw 14’), Pierre Kalulu, Theo Hernandez; Sandro Tonali, Rade Krunic; Alexis Saelemaekers, Brahim Diaz, Rafael Leao; Olivier Giroud. Unfortunately, Tomori’s early injury was a real worry – his absence in the final would be a huge loss.
Bologna Starting XI: Łukasz Skorupski; Stefan Posch, Jhon Lucumí, Adama Soumaoro, Charalampos Lykogiannis; Riccardo Orsolini, Nicolas Dominguez, Jerdy Schouten, Lewis Ferguson, Musa Barrow; Marko Arnautović. Arnautović was definitely their main man up front – you could see them relying on him heavily.
A Tense First Half
The first half was a bit of a snoozefest, to be honest. A scoreless draw at halftime? Honestly, who saw that coming? But don't worry, things were about to get interesting…
Second Half Fireworks
The second half was a completely different story. Goals flew in like crazy – it was total chaos! While the exact details are still a bit hazy, it was a thrilling back-and-forth affair. Ultimately, though, Milan’s superior finishing power shone through.
Milan Triumphs
Milan secured a 3-1 victory. This win definitely sent a message to Bologna heading into the Coppa Italia final. Bologna showed some real promise, but Milan’s finishing and resilience just proved to be too much.
A Thrilling Preview
The Serie A match served as a fantastic preview of the cup final. Both teams will be battling fiercely for the trophy. It’s going to be epic!
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