Sergio Conceicao has still not convinced many of his backers in terms of consistency and tactical nous. Over the last few games, the Portuguese manager has changed the system that has brought out favourable results for the team; AC Milan are now expected to finish their season with a flourish as they get set to take on Bologna on Friday.
The Rossoneri have four wins in their last five games across all competition, including all four of their ties away from home. Those include a stellar win over Inter Milan in the Copa Italia semifinals, which has set up a date with Bologna next Thursday, but now Milan have a chance to gauge their opponents in La Liga ahead of their clash on Friday night with Bologna.
While Milan are on course to finish with a flourish, their participation in either next season’s Champions League or Europa League are under considerable doubt. The Rossoneri are six points behind the fourth, fifth and sixth-placed sides, which is the cut-off for the two European competitions, and five points behind Bologna for a Conference League spot. Unless they win against Bologna, their chances of European football are slim.
Meanwhile, Bologna occupy the last European place in the Serie A standings, as they sit with 62 points and seventh in the table. Should they finish in their current spot, Vincenzo Italiano’s side will play Conference League football, although they are still in the mix for Europa League and Champions League places, with only a point separating them from the fourth, fifth and sixth-placed side heading to the San Siro.
Italiano’s men are unbeaten in their last four games across all competitions, including a stellar win over Inter Milan to split open the title race for Napoli. They did follow that victory with a win over Empoli in the Copa Italia semifinals but have since managed consecutive draws to Udinese first and then Juventus.
The latter result was the consequence of both Bologna and Juventus trying to compete in a top-four race, and that draw will be seen favourably by both teams. Italiano will certainly target a win over Milan, and beyond that, they have two more tough encounters with Fiorentina and Genoa before the season ends, hopefully with a top-four finish.
Conceicao has tweaked his system of late to go with a back three, which has allowed some of the attacking players to work less defensively. The manager might continue with the newfound system for the remainder of the campaign.
Emerson Royal could make the squad after a period on the sidelines, although there are big doubts about the fitness of Youssouf Fofana which will be assessed before the game. Warren Bondo and Riccardo Sottil are set to miss out. The bog low comes in the form of Rafael Leao’s suspension following his booking against Genoa. Joao Felix and Kyle Walker were only substitutes in that game, as there are doubts about whether they are fit to start so soon.
Given how Milan lined up last time out, it’s safe to assume Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic are the back three, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek could come into the midfield setting to replace Fofana. If fit, then Felix could take the left side of the attack, with Christian Pulisic on the right and Luka Jovic leading the line for Milan.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1) – Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Jimenez, Loftus-Cheek, Reijnders, Hernandez; Pulisic, Felix; Jovic
Bologna will look to go full strength for this game, given the must-win nature of this contest from their perspective. Italiano does have a few injury-related issues, with key man Dan Ndoye out of contention for this one. Santiago Castro is an option to replace the forward, but the manager has preferred to use Thijs Dallinga of late, meaning he could lead the line.
Other than Ndoye, Emil Holm is absent from proceedings, meaning one of former Milan captain Davide Calabria or Lorenzo De Silvestri could compete for a place at right-back. Sam Beukema and Jhon Lucumi will feature in central defence, with Juan Miranda at left-back completing the backline.
Remo Freuler and Lewis Ferguson are the preferred outlets in central midfield, with Giovanni Fabbian playing in the advanced role. Riccardo Orsolini and Nicolo Cambiaghi will feature on the wings, with Dallinga likely to lead the line for Bologna.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Skorupski; Calabria, Buekema, Lucumi, Miranda; Freuler, Ferguson; Orsolini, Fabbian, Cambiaghi; Dallinga
Consistency has been key for Pulisic rather than being the danger man in Milan’s attack. Silently the American has notched 16 goals and 11 assists across all competitions, with 10 of each metric in the league, as he will be key against Bologna.
The American will have added responsibilities when Milan hosts Bologna given Leao will miss out with a suspension. It’s imperative for the Rossoneri to stay where they are and best yet beat Bologna to have a chance of making it to Europe next season, as Pulisic will be key to this operation.
Milan are probably in a better vein of form than Bologna coming into this game, but they have had their problems when meeting a team above them this season. While some of the recent results do spark a belief that Conceicao’s men can do it. However, given the context of the game, it’s difficult to see the Rossoneri winning.
Meanwhile, Vincenzo Italiano wants a complete performance and repeat the feat against Inter Milan here. Bologna are the favourites to win this game, given how good their form has been against the bigger sides this season, as they will continue to push for Champions League football with a win at the San Siro.
