HARD‑FOUGHT THREE POINTS
Serie A
AC Milan needed to get back to winning ways, so one can surely say that it's job done in Bologna. Though it was touch and go in the dying minutes. Nonetheless, the Rossoneri took all three points, which were vital after defeats in the league and Coppa Italia. Rebić in the first half and Kessie from the penalty spot after the break secured the victory. The game, which the Rossoneri controlled for large periods, was thrust open in the final ten minutes after the goal from former AC Milan player Andrea Poli. With great effort, and one particularly splendid save from Gigio, the Rossoneri recorded their 14th league win of the season and now sit on 46 points in the table, maintaining top spot for at least another matchday. Positive notes can be made of Fikayo Tomori's first start for the Club; the England international was alert and reactive at captain Romagnoli's side. Kessie and Donnarumma also put in gargantuan performances. Another positive moment of the afternoon was the return of Ismaël Bennacer, who hasn't played since the game against Parma on 13 December. Now, the players will have one week of training to recharge their batteries before they host Crotone next Sunday, 7 February, at 20:45 CET.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY OF BOLOGNA V AC MILAN
REPORT
The Rossoneri got onto the front foot almost immediately and often looked dangerous. Their first attacking threat came in the 11th minute as Theo's free-kick surprised Skorupski, who did extremely well to tip it over the crossbar. AC Milan grew into the game more and more and, in the 23rd minute, forced the Polish shot-stopper into a miraculous double save to deny Ibra: first from a header and then from an attempted tap-in. Seconds later, Dijks brought Leão down in the box and the away side were awarded a penalty. Zlatan's spot-kick was saved by Skorupski but Rebić, who was more alert than anybody, turned home the rebound to make it 1-0. The goal didn't dampen AC Milan's spirit as the Rossoneri, once again, forced Skorupski into action: first to deny Leão, then Calabria and then Rebić. Gigio Donnarumma came up trumps as the half drew to a close, keeping out the Rossoblù through Sansone (39') and then Domínguez (41').
AC Milan doubled their lead almost immediately after the break. Soumaoro handled the ball in the area and the Rossoneri were awarded their second penalty of the game. This time, Kessie stepped up to take and made no mistake: 2-0. The Rossoneri put together a beautiful move in the 61st minute, from full-back to full-back; Theo fed Calabria but Skorupski was there once again to thwart the Rossoneri's efforts. Bologna fought their way back into it as the game drew to a close; Skov Olsen dispossessed Hernández and fed Poli, who halved the deficit. The hosts had regained their self-belief and, one minute later, had a chance to equalise; Soriano's headed effort was miraculously kept out by Gigio.
MATCH DETAILS
BOLOGNA 1-2 AC MILAN
BOLOGNA (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Tomiyasu, Soumaoro, Danilo, Dijks (79' Palacio); Schouten (79' Poli), Domínguez (67' Svanberg); Orsolini (67' Skov Olsen), Soriano, Sansone (67' Vignato); Barrow. Subs.: Da Costa, Ravaglia; De Silvestri, Paz, Hickey, Baldursson. Coach: Mihajlović.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma G.; Calabria, Tomori, Romagnoli, Hernández; Tonali (62' Bennacer), Kessie; Saelemaekers, Leão (73' Mandžukić), Rebić (62' Krunić); Ibrahimović. Subs.: Donnarumma A., Tătăruşanu; Dalot, Kalulu; Castillejo, Hauge, Meïte; Maldini. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Doveri from Roma.
Goal: 26' Rebić (M), 55' pen. Kessie (M), 81' Poli (B).
Booked: 24' Dijks (B), 51' Rebić (M), 56' Soriano (B).
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