Serie A Preview: Bologna - Milan
The Rossoneri would be trying to return to winning ways......
By Mondal Subhankar
Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna.
Climbing Up The Table
Bologna were thought to be doomed at one point but the Rossoblu have been doing pretty well recently. At the moment they are 14th in the Serie A table with 24 points from 22 matches.
Last weekend Bologna held Chievo to a 1-1 draw in Verona but they would be wary of a Milan side looking to force themselves back into winning ways. However, Bologna's home record in the league this season is quite encouraging as they have won five times. However, they have conceded 16 goals in 11 league fixtures at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.
Returning To Winning Ways
Since losing to Inter in the Derby della Madonnina, Milan seem to have gone off the boil. The Rossoneri lost to Udinese in the Coppa Italia after that and were then held to a 1-1 draw by Livorno at home last weekend.
At the moment Leonardo's side are second in the Serie A table with 41 points from 21 games. But worryingly for Milan, third-placed Roma have the same number of points, although admittedly Claudio Ranieri's side have played a game more. Winning against Bologna even away from home shouldn't really be difficult but the Rossoneri are not going through a rosy period at the moment and the hosts would fancy themselves a point at least.
FORM GUIDE
Bologna
January 31 v Chievo (A) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)
January 24 v Bari (H) - WON 2-1 (Serie A)
January 20 v Atalanta (H) - DREW 2-2 (Serie A)
January 17 v Fiorentina (A) - WON 2-1 (Serie A)
January 10 v Cagliari (H) - LOST 1-0 (Serie A)
Milan
January 31 v Livorno (H) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)
January 27 v Udinese (H) - LOST 1-0 (Coppa Italia)
January 25 v Inter (A) - LOST 2-0 (Serie A)
January 17 v Siena (H) - WON 4-0 (Serie A)
January 13 v Novara (H) - WON 2-1 (Coppa Italia)
TEAM NEWS
Bologna
Mutarelli, Viviano and Mingazzini are unavailable while Britos, Guana, Lanna, Raggi and Modesto are struggling with injuries.
Probable Lineup (4-4-1-1): Colombo, Raggi, Portanova, Britos, Lanna; Busce, Mudingayi, Guana, Modesto; Gimenez; Di Vaio
Milan
Pato, Oddo and Onyewu are out while Flamini, Seedorf and Thiago Silva have injury concerns.
Probable Lineup (4-2-1-3): Abbiati, Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Beckham, Borriello, Ronaldinho
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Marco Di Vaio (Bologna)
The 33-year-old has been among the goals lately and looks to have rediscovered his form of last season. He scored his eighth goal of the league campaign against Chievo last weekend and for Bologna to garner anything from their game against Milan, Di Vaio has to be on top of his game.
Ronaldinho (Milan)
The Brazilian was in superb form until late. Ronaldinho went missing against Inter in the Derby della Madonnina on Sunday night and Milan lost. However, the former Barcelona playmaker would be keen on resuming his raring form and crashing struggling Bologna on Sunday afternoon.
PREDICTION
Milan should win this game but it wouldn't be very comfortable. Nevertheless, a win by a two-goal margin can be expected.
Bologna 0-2 Milan
Hosted by Stephen Crawford & Adam Scime
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
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