AC MILAN v BOLOGNA: DUELS

The Monday night fixture on matchday 31 in Serie A will be AC Milan v Bologna at San Siro. The stadium will be packed with Rossoneri fans, who will hopefully spur the team on to a vital victory. On the eve of the Diavolo’s return to action following the international break, we’re taking a look at the most exciting individual duels potentially in store:

OLIVIER GIROUD v MARKO ARNAUTOVIĆ
Two high-quality and consistent players over the age of 30 who are enjoying excellent seasons. Giroud has scored some particularly big goals, most notably in the derby and against Napoli, but he also provided the crucial assist for Bennacer’s sumptuous strike in Cagliari. The Frenchman hasn’t found the net since the game at the Maradona, but he’ll soon be back on the pitch he has a particular affinity to: ten of his eleven goals this campaign have come at San Siro. Olivier hasn’t lost his mojo at international level either: he bagged in both of France’s recent friendlies against the Ivory Coast and South Africa. Now back with AC Milan, he’s full of energy and hopes to make a difference once again. Shouldering most of the responsibility for Bologna’s attack will be Arnautović. The Austrian striker is the team’s top scorer with nine league goals (ten including the Coppa Italia) and is also leading the way in terms of shots (23 and 29 on and off target, respectively). He’s scored Bologna’s last three Serie A goals and is the player who has found the net the most in the final 15 minutes in the Italian top flight this season (six).

FIKAYO TOMORI v GARY MEDEL
They’re both excellent, charismatic and indispensable players. Tomori made his Serie A debut against Bologna at the Dall’Ara in January 2021, a match which saw him finish as the Diavolo player with the most touches (81), clearances (four) and interceptions (three). Since then, Fikayo’s numbers have only improved, so much so that he’s currently the Rossonero with the most passes overall (1282) and in his own half (907). He’s also leading the way in terms of clearances (62), tackles (52), interceptions (36) and shots blocked (15). He’s a pillar in AC Milan’s four-man defence, as is Medel in Mihajlović’s three-man backline. The former Inter man, who is the Rossoblù player who has made the most clearances (85) and blocks (16), will be highly motivated and display his usual determination. Both are sure to be tested and will play crucial roles.

RAFAEL LEÃO v NICOLA SANSONE
Both are hard to predict, have rare and yet, in certain ways, similar characteristics and operate in the same area of the pitch. Leão scored the Rossoneri’s first goal in the 4-2 win in the reverse fixture and has found the net four times in his last six home matches in Serie A. Rafa didn’t get on the scoresheet in March but already has double figures for the season. Meanwhile, Sansone, who is back after suspension, hasn’t bagged at all this campaign, although he has five assists to his name. He’s scored four times against AC Milan in the Italian top flight and hasn’t done better against any other team in this regard (he has the same tally against Inter).

THEO HERNÁNDEZ v AARON HICKEY
A battle between two young footballers. 19-year-old Hickey is among the five youngest players who have made more than 25 appearances in the Top 5 European leagues this season. Hernández was born in 1997, making him more experienced than the Scotsman, but he still has a long career ahead of him. They’re left-backs and left-footers, and both are full of running and offer solutions in attack. Another thing linking them is the fact that they’ve been on the end of the most fouls for their respective sides this season (59 for Hickey and 51 for Theo), which is testament to their ability to push forward and create danger.

Tickets are on sale for the matches at San Siro against Bologna, Genoa, Fiorentina and Atalanta: buy yours now!