The match between AC Milan and Bologna marks the beginning of the 36th round of the Serie A, played at San Siro, home of Milan.
What We Know
- First match: Bologna - Milan 2-1.
- The two teams will clash again on Wednesday (14/5) in the Coppa Italia final.
- Nine of Milan’s last eleven games have seen over 2.5 goals.
- Six of Bologna’s last seven away from home ended with under 2.5 goals.
- Milan has lost just two of their last 30 (!) games against Bologna in the Serie A (20-8-2).
Betting Tip Milan - Bologna
Both managers will very likely try to avoid showing their hand in the first game between the two, as the second clash in the Coppa Italia final carries much more significance. Milan is on an upward trend, though Bologna is willing to give its best until the end for a spot leading to European football through the Serie A. We see both teams scoring in Milan.
- Betting Tip: BTTS
- Odds: 1.75 (at the time of writing)
- Stake: 5
Milan
Milan is currently on a roll, and Monday’s game at Genoa showed their current shape. It took three very impressive saves by goalkeeper Mike Maignan for them to survive the first half without conceding, but they fell behind in the 61st minute.
The team showed tremendous resilience to first equalise through Leao 15 minutes later, and then take the lead just a minute after that through an own goal.
They remain 9th, and the distance between them and 8th-place Fiorentina currently stands at a mere two points. Still, the Rossoneri have only a slim chance of qualifying for European competitions through the league.
However, they have another avenue: Wednesday’s Olimpico Coppa Italia final against Bologna. This will ultimately be the deciding factor on whether the season will be deemed a failure or a success for the Rossoneri.
A defeat there will likely keep them away from European football next season. Following that game, Sergio Conceicao’s team will face Roma again at Olimpico and end the season at home against relegated Monza.
Bologna
The unbeaten home streak now stands at 10, but the 1-1 draw against Juventus delivered a blow to their chances of participating in next season’s Champions League campaign. They conceded early (9’) thanks in large part to a serious goalkeeper error.
Juventus scored twice more, but Bologna were lucky to see the VAR disallow both of these goals. Bologna took the initiative in the second half and managed to equalise with Freuler (54’). That was the extent of what they could do, as they had no success in scoring once again.
Manager Vincenzo Italiano expressed his admiration for his players’ mental toughness, acknowledging that they will keep fighting until the end. He recognised that the season's main objective, that of keeping up the same performance standards as last season, was accomplished.
Naturally, the Rossoblu are also focused on the Coppa Italia final against Milan, in what will be the second consecutive game between the two teams, since they are facing each other in the Serie A. Bologna are presently sitting at 7th place, just a single point away from 4th place and Champions League football.
Tough trio of games ahead, facing Milan and Fiorentina away, before hosting Genoa.
