VICTORY AT THE DALL'ARA
Serie A
It all happened in Bologna but it was the Rossoneri that had the last laugh in a 4-2 victory that sees AC Milan bag another three points. AC Milan controlled the first half and went into the break two goals to the good and a man up. It all looked to go wrong after the break as the hosts clawed their way level. After Bologna went down to nine men, the Rossoneri strove for the victory and attained as much thanks to a fantastic finish from Bennacer and a late striker from Ibra.
It is, as such, an important win, both given the numerous absences and the psychological boost that will come from tonight's result against a tenacious Bologna side. AC Milan struggled for ideas but did manage to come out on top with a late flourish. Pioli's side move to 25 points in the table but there was an addition to the long injury list as Castillejo pulled up with a muscle problem late in the first half. There's no time to rest, however, as AC Milan host Torino on Tuesday.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM BOLOGNA v AC MILAN
REPORT
Bologna started well and pressed high. The first chance of the game fell the way of the hosts but Arnautović headed wide (12'). In the 16th minute, AC Milan took the lead with virtually their first chance of the game: Ibra sent Leão on his way and the Portuguese forward's effort took a wicked deflection off Medel that ended up in the back of the net. Another decisive moment occurred in the 20th minute; Kjær's long ball found Krunić, who was brought down by Soumaoro - the last defender - and Bologna found themselves down to ten men. The Rossoneri went close to doubling their lead in the 27th minute but Ibra couldn't head it home. The second goal did come in the 35th minute; Skorupski failed to deal with Ballo-Touré's cross and the ball ended up at the feat of Castillejo. The Spaniard's blocked shot fell to Calabria, who leathered the ball into the back of the net.
The whole dynamic of the match changed after the break, however, as Bologna pulled one back; Ibra headed it into his own net from Barrow's corner. The Gambian then grabbed the equaliser in the 52nd minute, coolly slotting it past an onrushing Tătăruşanu. The hosts found themselves down to nine men in the 58th minute; Soriano caught Ballo-Touré late and, after a VAR review, the Bologna captain received a straight red card. Giroud almost restored the Rossoneri's lead but Skorupski produced a brilliant save to keep out the Frenchman's headed effort. The winning goal came late on; in the 84th minute, Bennacer's sumptuous volley nestled in the back of the net to make it 3-2. In the 90th minute, Ibra's precise finish made it 4-2.
MATCH DETAILS
BOLOGNA 2-4 AC MILAN
BOLOGNA (3-4-1-2): Skorupski; Soumaoro, Medel, Theate; De Silvestri, Svanberg, Domínguez (63' Schouten), Hickey (63' Dijks); Soriano; Barrow (63' Binks), Arnautović (83' Santander). Subs: Bardi, Molla; Mbaye; Vignato; Orsolini, Sansone, Skov Olsen, van Hooijdonk. Coach: Mihajlović.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Tătăruşanu; Calabria, Kjær, Tomori, Ballo-Touré (85' Kalulu); Bennacer, Tonali (46' Bakayoko); Castillejo (46' Saelemaekers), Krunić (60' Giroud), Leão; Ibrahimović. Subs: Jungdal, Mirante; Conti, Gabbia, Romagnoli; Maldini. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Valeri from Roma.
Goals: 16' Leão (M), 35' Calabria (M), 49' aut. Ibrahimović (M), 52' Barrow (B), 84' Bennacer (M), 90' Ibrahimović (M).
Booked: 34' Arnautović (B), 46' Tonali (M), 61' Calabria (M), 67' Saelemaekers (M).
Sent off: 20' Soumaoro (B), 58' Soriano (B).
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