THE ROSSONERI DOMINATE BOLOGNA
Serie A
A big statement. For ourselves and for the entire league. AC Milan's February got off to a flying start with one of the best performances of the season, as the Rossoneri ran out 3-0 winners away at Bologna in the final fixture of Serie A matchday 23. The result was never really in doubt: after an energetic start from the hosts, Allegri's men took control of the match in the first half and went into the break two goals up thanks to Loftus-Cheek and Nkunku, who were paired together in attack for the first time.
The Rossoneri then extended their lead after the restart through the unstoppable Rabiot, and it could have been even more emphatic given the number of chances created in the remainder of the second half. Despite several big absences, it was a flawless team performance, one that allows us to keep our European rivals at arm's length and sees us stretch the gap to fifth place to seven points. Huge credit to our lads, who have now gone 22 consecutive games without defeat and will have around ten days to prepare for their next outing: the away trip to Pisa on 13 February.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM BOLOGNA v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
The match was lively from kick-off. A big chance came in the 8th minute for Loftus-Cheek, sent through on goal, but the Englishman failed to beat Ravaglia in a one-on-one as the goalkeeper rushed out. A well-worked move followed in the 17th minute, when Athekame crossed for the late run of Fofana, whose header glanced just wide of the target. The Rossoneri’s deserved goal arrived in the 20th minute at the end of a scrappy move featuring several deflections, finished off by Loftus-Cheek with a right-footed effort from close range. The goal slowed the tempo of the game, which we controlled with composure and focus. Solid defensive interventions from Pavlović in the 28th minute and Bartesaghi in the 32nd set the stage for the 2–0. Nkunku did it all himself: first winning a penalty after being fouled by Ravaglia, then calmly converting from the spot. In the closing stages of the first half, the hosts pushed forward, but Maignan was never seriously troubled.
The second half got off to the perfect start with the goal for 3–0. Rabiot did it alone, winning the ball from an opposition throw-in, driving forward and beating Ravaglia with a left-footed diagonal finish. There was only one team on the pitch. In the 50th minute, Nkunku missed a great chance to complete his brace – and make it four for Milan – and after a wasted opportunity for Casale in the 55th minute, we again went close to a fourth goal through Loftus-Cheek in the 63rd minute and via the Jashari–Füllkrug combination off the bench in the 74th. Niclas had two more chances late on, a right-footed effort in the 82nd minute and a header in the 88th, but Ravaglia denied him both times. The closing minutes did nothing to change the pattern of the evening in Bologna, with Milan continuing to keep the ball purposefully, though without the scoreline changing again.
MATCH DETAILS
BOLOGNA 0-3 AC MILAN
BOLOGNA (4-2-3-1): Ravaglia; Zortea, Casale, Heggem, Miranda (78' Lykogiannīs); Freuler (65' Moro), Ferguson; Orsolini (54' Bernardeschi), Odgaard, Rowe (78' Cambiaghi); Castro (54' Dallinga). Subs: Franceschelli, Pessina; Helland, João Mário, Vitík; Pobega, Sohm; Domínguez. Coach: Italiano.
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; De Winter, Gabbia, Pavlović; Athekame (68' Tomori), Fofana, Modrić (72' Jashari), Rabiot, Bartesaghi (83' Estupiñan); Loftus-Cheek (69' Ricci), Nkunku (72' Füllkrug). Subs: Terracciano, Torriani; Odogu; Leão. Coach: Allegri.
Referee: Magnaniello from Pinerolo.
Goals: 20' Loftus-Cheek (M), 39' pen. Nkunku (M), 48' Rabiot (M).
Booked: 51' Ravaglia (B), 58' Freuler (B), 64' Ferguson (B).
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