BOLOGNA v AC MILAN: KEYS TO THE MATCH

It's hard not to have one eye on the Champions League game with Napoli nest week, but a Serie A fixture placed in-between must be played out with the maximum of respect: up next is Bologna. Qualification to Europe's biggest club competition for next season hangs on the final nine league games. Let's try and predict what may decide matchday 30 in our keys to the match analysis:

CONDITION AND TIMING
Before even looking at the technical and tactical aspects, it's impossibile to not consider the timing of when the fixture is set to be played. AC Milan come into the game on the back of a physical and emotional Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie. The large amount of energy used may well be one of the deciding factors in Coach Pioli's selections, with changes probable to the starting line-up to give some of his key players a rest seeing as the return leg is next Tuesday. Those changes may well spring up some surprises and be potentially risky. In this regard, Thiago Motta will certainly have to do without the suspended Orsolini, who has eight goals and three assists to his name so far in this season's Serie A, losing a precious focal point of his attack. On their part, the Felsinei will start from a better physical condition, having not played since last Saturday, and are also in great form.

DEFENCE ALLOWS ATTACKS
Defending well isn't only one of the characteristics needed to win a game, but for AC Milan and Bologna it is one of their traits. Both sides' statistics since the beginning of the season show that a few too many goals have been conceded, but the second part has seen several more clean sheets. After the recent international break, the Rossoneri have kept the back door shut twice (0-0 and 4-0), as have the Rossoblù (2-0 and 3-0). Credit must also go to the sides' respective goalkeepers, Maignan and Skorupski. From their saves to defensive  performances, a lot depends on them. The team that will be more careful and commit the least number of errors at the back will have an advantage. Defending well, lying deep and drawing the opponent in, might be the best way to attack: AC Milan can be lethal on the break, just as Bologna with Barrow.

THEO-POSCH BUT NOT ONLY: DUELS ON BOTH WINGS
That the Rossoneri's left-hand flank is a formidable area of the pitch isn't really news, but when the opposition have an extremely competitive right side, the battle lights up. On the same flank, Hernández and Leão (or Rebić), and Posch and Aebischer, are set to come across each other. The left-backs share the same year of birth (1997) and strong attacking charactersitics, with the Frenchman making more assists (five) but Posch with more goals (five). Valuable and decisive, they both always bring attacking dynamic, ball recoveries, support and drive their teams forward. On the wings, Leão and Aebischer fly down the sides with pace and instinct and have the freedom to find space and produce quality moments when, and where, it's most needed.

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