BOLOGNA v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW
Serie A
Before Napoli and the Maradona, it will be time for Bologna. The Rossoneri's campaign knows no rest and continues with an important appointment, against a team in great shape like Thiago Motta's one. At the Dall'Ara three key points for the European ambitions of Bologna and AC Milan, two sides with a strong tactical identity and an interesting playing proposition, are at stake. We play, for the first time this season, in the middle of the afternoon at 15:00: we approach the kick-off with our Match Preview.
LATEST FROM MILANELLO
In the hours leading up to the match, the subject of rotation came up. Given the proximity of the two European fixtures, it is possible that the starting eleven in Emilia will present numerous changes in the starting line-up. From the defensive to the offensive line, in fact, there could be many changes to the Champions League team against Napoli. With Ibrahimović still unavailable, there are several players who could see themselves back in the starting line-up after so long: Ballo-Touré and Florenzi in defence, Vranckx in midfield and De Ketelaere in the trio supporting the only striker, which should be Origi. Also to be taken into account is the situation of the cautioned players, who number five in the Rossoneri's squad: in addition to Kjær, who did not leave for Bologna, there are also Calabria, Kalulu, Rebić and Tomori.
LATEST FROM BOLOGNA
The Rossoblù come to the challenge in an excellent moment of form: 20 points so far in the second half of the season (only Napoli, Lazio and Juventus have done better), including eight in the last four matches. The victories - with clean sheets - against Udinese and Atalanta have given Motta's team European prospects, who will have to reckon with two important absences, that of Orsolini (suspended) and Soriano (injured), in addition to the already known unavailability of Arnautović and Cambiaso. In the Italo-Brazilian coach's 4-2-3-1, two choices are on the cards: Domínguez-Moro in the midfield and Sansone-Zirkzee up front, with the former the favourite. In support of the only forward, the favourites should be Barrow, Ferguson (the only one with a caution) and Aebischer.
"It will be a beautiful match, with a full stadium and against a team that is doing well," said Thiago Motta on the eve of the match. "We must face AC Milan with humility and giving our best: we have an obligation to do so and to try to improve every day. We'll find an aggressive team that doesn't leave you time to play, we'll have to be quick to go fast and find the open man".
WHERE TO WATCH BOLOGNA v AC MILAN
The game will be broadcast live in Italy on DAZN from 15:00 CEST. To watch the game abroad, head to the "Abroad" section of the page "Where to watch AC Milan on TV".
Before the game, head to Milan TV for our Matchday programme. Coverage starts at 13:45 CEST and will run right up to kick-off at the Dall'Ara. After the game, we will have analysis, interviews and Stefano Pioli's press conference.
Head to our Twitch channel for the Live Reaction to Bologna v AC Milan, starting at 14:55 CEST, with Francesco Specchia, Lollo and more. Also, don't miss our live feeds on all of our social media channels, on acmilan.com and via our Official App.
QUI SERIE A
Davide Massa of Imperia, 41 years-old, will referee Bologna v AC Milan. He has three previous appearances with Pioli's side this season: Verona 1-2 AC Milan, AC Milan 2-2 Roma and Inter 1-0 AC Milan. A total of 18 matches have been played between Massa and the Rossoneri: 6 wins, 7 draws and 5 defeats have been recorded so far.
The 30th matchday of Serie A opened yesterday, Friday 14 April, with two matches: Cremonese 1-0 Empoli and Spezia 0-3 Lazio. Saturday will kick off with Bologna v AC Milan and will continue with Napoli v Verona at 18.00 CEST and Inter v Monza at 20.45 CEST. Here is the programme for Sunday: Lecce v Sampdoria at 12.30 CEST, Torino v Salernitana at 15:00 CEST, Sassuolo v Juventus at 18:00 CEST and Roma v Udinese at 20.45 CEST. Monday Night: Fiorentina v Atalanta at 20:45 CEST.
Here are the current Serie A standings: Napoli 74; Lazio* 61; Roma 53; AC Milan 52; Inter 51; Atalanta 48; Juventus 44; Bologna 43; Fiorentina 41; Udinese 39; Torino 38; Sassuolo 37; Monza 35; Empoli* 32; Salernitana 29; Lecce 27; Spezia* 26; Hellas Verona 22; Cremonese* 19; Sampdoria 15. (* = one more game played)
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