Serie A: Bologna Aiming to Be Where AC Milan Are

Bologna vs AC Milan

Bologna have been one of the surprise packages in the 2022-23 Serie A campaign, as they’re in contention for a spot in European football next season.

I Rossoblu are eighth in the standings with 43 points, but they’re unbeaten in their last four games, and beating AC Milan would move them up to seventh.

Meanwhile, AC Milan’s recent Serie A 2023 results have been mixed. They are set to take on Napoli in the Champions League quarter-finals later, which means that they won’t have much time to recover against Bologna.

I Rossoneri have failed to defend last year’s Scudetto, so securing a top four berth is a priority this season. They’re in fourth place with 52 points, but with Inter and Atalanta lurking, they cannot afford to bottle this one against I Rossoblu.

Talking Points

Bologna’s youngsters getting the job done

Thiago Motta has sparked a turnaround for Bologna, making the leap from 17th to eighth in the standings. In the 23 games under Motta, Bologna have averaged a healthy 1.6 points per game.

The key to Bologna’s success is the contributions that they’ve been getting from everyone. Before, their goals have come mostly from Marko Arnautovic, but that’s no longer the case.

Arnautovic is one of their top scorers with eight goals, but he hasn’t played recently due to injuries. But Bologna haven’t skipped a beat, thanks to their young guns.

Riccardo Orsolini is level with Arnautovic at eight goals, and he also has three assists. The 26-year-old winger is attracting interest in the transfer market, particularly from Bologna’s Serie A counterparts, Inter Milan and AS Roma.

Stefan Posch, who came on loan from Hoffenheim, is remarkably the team’s third-leading scorer with five goals, considering he is operating as the team’s starting right-back.

Musa Barrow is another player that AC Milan have to slow down, as he’s been playing inspired football recently. Since entering the starting lineup, the Gambian winger has recorded three goals and five assists.

I Rossoblu have shown that they can beat top-tier opponents this season, most recently against Inter Milan and Atalanta last Saturday. AC Milan can underestimate them at their own risk.

AC Milan trying to hold on

It’s been an up-and-down start to the month of April for I Rossoneri.

They got off to a fast start with a 4-0 rout of Napoli, but were let down when Empoli held them last Saturday at home.

Against Empoli, Stefano Pioli made several changes to his starting lineup but was made aware of his squad’s lack of depth.

AC Milan had 23 shots to Empoli’s two, but only four of them were on target, and they couldn’t convert at all. Divock Origi received a rare start in this match from Pioli, who positioned him with Alexis Saelemaekers, Ante Rebic, and Ismael Bennacer up front.

Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud should return to the starting XI, and they’ll lead the way up front. They are the team’s top scorers so far this season, accounting for 23 goals and 14 assists. 

History

Bologna are winless against AC Milan in their last 14 Serie A meetings (D2, L12), which is their second-longest winless streak in the competition behind Juventus (D4, L17).

AC Milan are undefeated in their last 16 Serie A road games at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium (W12, D4), which is their second-longest unbeaten away run in the competition behind SPAL (19 games).

AC Milan beat Bologna 2-0 in their reverse fixture last August, as Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud scored one goal apiece in each half.

The hosts have won their last two Serie A matches without conceding goals. The last time they won three in a row without conceding was in February 1973.

At home, Bologna haven’t conceded a goal in their last three Serie A home games. They had a longer streak in January 2000, when they reached eight consecutive home clean sheets.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP Serie A 2023 odds predict a close game between Bologna and AC Milan. AC Milan were given the slight advantage to win at 2.25, while Bologna are priced at 2.93, and a draw was installed at 3.20 in the 1X2 market.

AC Milan may have defeated Bologna in the reverse fixture, but Bologna have come a long way since then under the guidance of Thiago Motta, who joined the club last September. But in the end, Stefano Pioli and co. are more likely to win, although it’ll be earned the hard way.

 

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