Key Takeaways:
- Milan secured a commanding 3-0 win over Bologna in the 23rd round of Serie A last night
- Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christopher Nkunku (penalty), and Adrien Rabiot supplied the goals at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara
- Milan moved to 50 points, trailing league leaders Inter by five, while Bologna suffered a third straight defeat
Match Overview and Tactical Changes
Milan delivered an emphatic display away from home, overcoming Bologna 3-0 in the closing fixture of Serie A’s 23rd round. Goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the 20th minute, Christopher Nkunku from the penalty spot on 39 minutes, and Adrien Rabiot early in the second half sealed a comfortable victory for the Rossoneri, keeping them firmly in the chase for the title.
Manager Massimiliano Allegri opted for four adjustments to his starting eleven following the earlier 1-1 draw against Roma. With Strahinja Pavlović returning from injury, he slotted in for Fikayo Tomori in the heart of defence. Zakari Atekhame was handed his second start this season, deputising as right wing-back in place of the sidelined Alexis Saelemaekers. Youssouf Fofana was preferred to Samuele Ricci in midfield, while up front the pairing of Loftus-Cheek and Nkunku got the nod, owing to injuries to Rafael Leão and Niclas Füllkrug as well as Christian Pulisic being left out of the squad. Bologna, meanwhile, lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system anchored by Santiago Castro, with Riccardo Orsolini, Jens Odgaard, and Jonathan Rowe supporting in attack.
Rossoneri domination 🔥
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— AC Milan (@acmilan) February 3, 2026
First Half: Milan Punish Wasteful Hosts
Bologna began brightly, putting Milan’s rear guard under pressure and carving out early opportunities through Odgaard, Torbjørn Heggem, and Rowe. Loftus-Cheek threatened on eight minutes, breaking free one-on-one against Federico Ravaglia but eventually relinquished the ball to the goalkeeper. Subsequently, Odgaard missed the target with another attempt, and his header from a set piece in the 16th minute failed to trouble Mike Maignan. Fofana responded with a header at the other end, but saw his effort go wide.
Milan drew first blood in the 20th minute. Ravaglia managed to turn away Nkunku’s fierce header from close range, but defenders failed to clear, allowing Rabiot to tee up Loftus-Cheek, who converted clinically. The match then entered a less eventful phase, punctuated in the 36th minute when Nkunku dribbled past Ravaglia and was subsequently fouled, resulting in a penalty. Nkunku made no mistake from the spot, doubling Milan’s lead. Bologna had opportunities before the break through Nadir Zortea and Odgaard, but neither could find a breakthrough.
Second Half: Rabiot Strikes, Milan in Total Control
Milan wasted no time after the interval, extending their advantage in the 48th minute when Rabiot intercepted a throw-in, finishing with a precise low effort. Nkunku soon had a gilt-edged chance to add a fourth, but Ravaglia was equal to the task in their second duel of the match.
From there, Milan allowed Bologna greater possession, but the home side’s attacks, led by Nicolo Casale and Odgaard, did not threaten Maignan’s goal. In the closing stages, substitute Federico Bernardeschi failed to salvage a consolation, while Ravaglia kept Füllkrug at bay on two occasions to prevent a heavier defeat for the hosts.
League Standings and Impact
With this result, Milan solidified their hold on second place with 50 points, now sitting five behind leaders Inter. Bologna, who remain tenth, have amassed 30 points but slumped to their third consecutive league loss.
| Match | Score | Goal Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| Bologna v Milan | 0:3 | Loftus-Cheek (20′), Nkunku (39′ – penalty), Rabiot (48′) |
