AC Milan Stumble Against Bologna in Home Draw

AC Milan’s Serie A title aspirations suffered a significant blow on Saturday as they were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw by Bologna at the San Siro. A lacklustre performance saw the Rossoneri concede two early goals and, despite a spirited comeback, ultimately fail to secure all three points.

Bologna started the match brightly, showcasing a well-organized defense and dangerous counter-attacking prowess. Joshua Zirkzee opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a well-placed finish after a swift attacking move. Only ten minutes later, Bologna doubled their lead through a stunning strike from Sam Beukema, leaving the San Siro stunned.

Milan looked disjointed and struggled to break down Bologna’s resolute defense in the first half. Their attacking play lacked creativity and precision, resulting in few clear-cut opportunities. Manager Stefano Pioli was visibly frustrated on the touchline, urging his players to inject more urgency into their game.

The second half saw a much-improved Milan side emerge. Pioli’s tactical tweaks and a clear desire to salvage the match fueled a determined comeback. Rafael Leão, arguably Milan’s most influential player, pulled a goal back in the 45th minute with a powerful header from a well-delivered cross. This goal ignited a renewed sense of hope amongst the Milan faithful.

Milan continued to press forward, dominating possession and creating numerous chances. Their persistence eventually paid off in the 84th minute when a penalty was awarded for a handball inside the Bologna box. Substitute Olivier Giroud stepped up to take the spot-kick, but his effort was saved brilliantly by Bologna’s goalkeeper, Lukasz Skorupski. However, Milan were given a second chance from the penalty spot after a VAR review revealed encroachment. This time, Theo Hernandez took responsibility and coolly converted, leveling the score at 2-2.

Despite the late equalizer, Milan couldn’t find a winning goal. Bologna defended resolutely in the remaining minutes, frustrating Milan’s attempts to break through. The match ended in a draw, leaving Milan with a feeling of disappointment.

This result represents a missed opportunity for Milan to close the gap on league leaders Inter Milan. Their performance highlighted inconsistencies and a vulnerability that could prove costly in their title pursuit. For Bologna, the draw is a valuable point on the road, showcasing their resilience and tactical discipline. They proved to be a difficult opponent and deservedly took a share of the spoils.

Looking ahead, Milan will need to address their defensive frailties and rediscover their attacking fluency if they hope to mount a serious title challenge. Bologna, on the other hand, can take confidence from this performance as they continue their push for a European qualification spot.