AC Milan’s Champions League hopes dwindle after a 2-1 defeat to Bologna, who secured their first home win against Milan in Serie A in 23 years.
AC Milan’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League suffered a setback with a 2-1 loss to Bologna. The match, originally scheduled for October but postponed due to flooding, saw Bologna come from behind to secure a crucial victory.
The defeat leaves Milan eighth in Serie A, eight points behind fourth-placed Juventus with twelve games remaining. Bologna, meanwhile, climbed to sixth with 44 points, five behind Juventus.
Match Summary
Rafael Leao put Milan ahead just before halftime, capitalizing on a flick-on to round the Bologna goalkeeper and score. However, Bologna responded strongly in the second half.
Santiago Castro equalized for Bologna three minutes after the restart, finishing from close range after a free kick into the box. Milan protested, claiming a handball in the build-up, but the goal stood after a VAR review.
Bologna then took control of the match, with Nicolo Casale hitting the post before Dan Ndoye scored the winning goal in the 82nd minute. Ndoye’s goal came from a cross by Nicolo Cambiaghi, completing Bologna’s comeback.
Key Moments
- Leao’s first-half goal gave Milan the lead.
- Castro’s controversial equalizer brought Bologna level.
- Ndoye’s late goal secured the victory for Bologna.
Implications for AC Milan
The loss is a blow to Milan’s Champions League aspirations. They now face an uphill battle to close the gap on the top four. Milan will host Lazio in their next match, a game which could be crucial for their chances of qualifying for the continent’s elite club competition.
Bologna’s Perspective
Bologna’s victory was their first home win against Milan in Serie A in nearly 23 years. The win strengthens their own chances of qualifying for European competition next season. The team displayed resilience and determination to fight back from a goal down to secure the victory.
Quotes
Milan goalscorer Rafael Leao stated, “We still believe (in qualification), there are a lot of games left to play, teams can drop points and we just have to do our job which is to win matches.”
Match Details
- Final Score: Bologna 2 – 1 AC Milan
- Bologna Scorers: Santiago Castro, Dan Ndoye
- AC Milan Scorer: Rafael Leao
- Match played at: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara
The match was initially scheduled for October but was postponed due to severe flooding in the Emilia-Romagna region.
Sources: https://sports.ndtv.com/football/ac-milan-lose-to-bologna-in-serie-a-lose-track-of-uefa-champions-league-spots-7812721
https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/bologna-vs-ac-milan-score-results-serie-a-2024-25-top-four-standings-points-table-football-news/article69273436.ece
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/ac-milan-fall-further-in-serie-a-after-losing-to-bologna/articleshow/118616968.cms