AC Milan will be aiming to keep up with the Serie A leaders when they welcome Bologna to San Siro on Sunday.

San Siro hosts an intriguing early-season clash on Sunday evening as AC Milan welcome Bologna, with both sides level on three points from their opening two Serie A matches. Fresh off much-needed victories before the international break, the Rossoneri and the Rossoblu will now lock horns for the first time since last May’s Coppa Italia final.

After a turbulent campaign last year that saw two coaches sacked, a Coppa Italia final defeat, and a disappointing eighth-place league finish, Milan have turned to Massimiliano Allegri to restore order. His mission is clear: to re-establish the club in the top four and return to European competition after missing out entirely last term.

Their new era got off to a rocky start with a 2-1 defeat against US Cremonese on the opening weekend, in which Milan were punished for defensive lapses as the newly promoted side scored twice from just three efforts on target. However, Allegri’s men steadied themselves at US Lecce in their second outing. Ruben Loftus-Cheek provided the breakthrough with a composed finish midway through the second half, before Christian Pulisic sealed a 2-0 win late on to secure AC Milan’s first league points of the season.

Summer signings still need time to gel, but Allegri’s reputation for pragmatism and discipline may prove invaluable in bedding them in. AC Milan’s immediate aim is consistency, and with Udinese and Bologna up next, they have an opportunity to build momentum before the domestic cup resumes later this month.

Bologna arrive in Milan with confidence of their own. Under Vincenzo Italiano, they continue to grow in stature, having claimed their first major trophy in decades by beating Milan in last season’s Coppa Italia final. That victory not only delivered silverware but also a coveted Europa League spot at Milan’s expense. Their European campaign begins later this month away to Aston Villa, but for now, the focus remains on establishing rhythm in Serie A.

The Rossoblu opened with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Roma but bounced back in gameweek two with a victory by the same scoreline against Como. Riccardo Orsolini, their talismanic forward, proved decisive once again, scoring the winner to settle nerves after a frustrating first match. However, Bologna’s issue has long been consistency. They have not won back-to-back league fixtures since March, and Italiano will be eager to correct that trend with a statement performance at San Siro.

Tradition remains firmly in Milan’s favour. The Rossoneri have lost just twice in their last 20 league meetings with Bologna, including seven victories from the past nine encounters at San Siro. Bologna’s most recent Serie A win over Milan came at the Dall’Ara in February, but their triumph in the Coppa Italia final proved they are no longer intimidated by this matchup. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

AC Milan

Massimiliano Allegri could hand debuts to two of AC Milan’s late summer signings this weekend against Bologna. Christopher Nkunku and Adrien Rabiot are both in line to feature from the get-go, giving the Rossoneri a refreshed look as they continue to rebuild under their returning coach. Both players arrive with a point to prove: Rabiot left Marseille under controversial circumstances, while Nkunku endured a frustrating spell in England.

Elsewhere, Milan retain the services of Santiago Gimenez, despite speculation of a late transfer exit. The Mexican striker returns to Serie A action on a high after scoring a spectacular goal during international duty against South Korea.

Gimenez will be competing with Nkunku, Christian Pulisic, and Rafael Leao for places in the offensive unit. However, Leao is still recovering from a calf strain that has kept him out of league action so far and will likely only be fit enough for a place on the bench at best. Milan have no suspensions to report, though their medical staff will continue to monitor Leão’s fitness closely.

Allegri is expected to set up his side in a 3-5-2 formation, emphasising midfield control and fluid attacking combinations. Mike Maignan will continue in goal, offering stability as Milan’s number one. In defence, the trio of Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia, and Strahinja Pavlovic should line up across the back line, with Tomori anchoring the right side, Gabbia central, and Pavlovic providing physical presence on the left.

The wing-back positions will be occupied by Alexis Saelemaekers on the right, providing width and energy, and Pervis Estupinan on the left, who will offer both defensive cover and attacking thrust. In central midfield, Allegri is likely to pair the creativity and vision of Luka Modric with the physical drive of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and the tactical intelligence of debutant Adrien Rabiot, giving Milan a balanced trio capable of controlling possession and pressing effectively.

Up front, Christian Pulisic is expected to partner Santiago Gimenez, combining pace and movement with clinical finishing. Nkunku could also be an option to start alongside Gimenez, offering Allegri flexibility depending on his tactical approach.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Modric, Rabiot, Estupinan; Pulisic, Gimenez

Bologna

Vincenzo Italiano will have to contend with a handful of absentees ahead of the trip to San Siro. Ibrahim Sulemana, brought in on loan from Atalanta BC, is unavailable through injury, while star striker Ciro Immobile continues his recovery from a thigh problem and remains sidelined.

At the back, Nicolo Casale and former AC Milan midfielder Tommaso Pobega will also miss out, further limiting Bologna’s options. There is also concern over Emil Holm, who may be forced to sit this one out due to fitness issues.

On a more positive note, Bologna could unleash new signing Jonathan Rowe, the English winger acquired from Marseille under controversial circumstances following an altercation with new AC Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot. Rowe is in contention for a starting role, and his pace and directness could add unpredictability to Bologna’s attack.

Italiano is expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a shape that provides balance between defensive organisation and attacking support. Lukasz Skorupski will take his place in goal, marshalling the defensive unit. The back four is likely to feature Nadir Zortea at right-back, Martin Vitik and Torbjorn Heggem as the central defensive pairing, and Juan Miranda at left-back, combining solidity with attacking overlaps.

In midfield, the double pivot of Remo Freuler and Lewis Ferguson will offer both defensive cover and the ability to progress play into attacking areas. Ahead of them, the creative line of three will see Riccardo Orsolini stationed on the right wing, Jens Odgaard operating through the centre as the attacking midfielder, and Nicolo Cambiaghi on the left, each responsible for linking midfield to attack and stretching Milan’s defensive structure.

Leading the line will be Santiago Castro, the Colombian forward tasked with holding up play and finishing chances created by Bologna’s supporting cast. His movement and physicality will be critical if the visitors are to trouble Milan’s defence.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Zortea, Vitik, Heggem, Miranda; Freuler, Ferguson; Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Castro

Key Stats

• The Rossoneri are unbeaten in 18 of their last 19 Serie A meetings with Bologna (W14 D4), scoring 38 goals in that run. Their only defeat came in February 2025, a 2-1 loss at the Dall’Ara.

• AC Milan are unbeaten in their last nine home league games against Bologna (W7 D2). Bologna’s last victory at San Siro dates back to January 2016, when Emanuele Giaccherini scored the winner.

• AC Milan have collected three points from their first two league games this term. Under Massimiliano Allegri in his earlier spell (2010–2014), the Rossoneri never managed more than one win in their first three Serie A games of a season.

• After losing 2-1 to Cremonese on opening day, AC Milan risk starting a season with no wins in their first two home league matches for the first time since 2012/13 (when they lost to Sampdoria and Atalanta).

• Bologna ended a four-game losing streak with their 1-0 victory against Como. They could now record back-to-back league wins for the first time since March 2025, when they won five straight, beginning that sequence against Milan.

Player to Watch

Luka Modric

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Even at 40, Luka Modric continues to demonstrate why he is regarded as one of the finest midfielders of his generation. AC Milan’s summer acquisition of the Croatian maestro brought both experience and elegance into a midfield that badly needed composure after a chaotic previous season.

Modric’s influence goes far beyond his passing range. His ability to dictate tempo, recycle possession under pressure, and find creative angles between the lines gives Milan a dimension they lacked last year. With Adrien Rabiot and Ruben Loftus-Cheek providing the legs around him, Modric is free to orchestrate play and pull the strings from deep.

Against Bologna, his vision and technical craft could be decisive. Vincenzo Italiano’s side press aggressively in midfield, but few players are better at evading pressure and turning defence into attack than Modric.

If AC Milan are to assert control on Bologna at San Siro and avoid being dragged into a scrappy contest, the Croat’s leadership and ability to unlock tight spaces will be vital. This match offers the perfect stage for Modric to showcase that age has not dimmed his class, and that he remains capable of being the heartbeat of a top Serie A side.

Prediction

AC Milan 2-1 Bologna

AC Milan’s pursuit of stability under Massimiliano Allegri faces a stern test against a Bologna side buoyed by recent history and growing confidence. While Bologna have the quality to make this competitive, AC Milan’s home record and Allegri’s ability to grind out results may give them the edge. Expect a tight game, with the Rossoneri just doing enough to claim three points.