Away from home, Milan suffered another 1-1 draw against Bologna. This can be dangerous for their league campaign as the race to top four getting more intense.
Two changes were made by Thiago Motta from Bologna’s 2-0 win over Atalanta. Aebischer took over for Roberto Soriano, who was out with a knee injury, and Dominguez took over for Moro in central midfield.
In an effort to give his team a rest before their crucial Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Napoli, Milan made a number of changes. Only the custodian Maignan remained from their midweek match against Napoli in the first leg. Calabra, Simon Kjaer, Tomori, and Hernandez were replaced at the back by Florenzi, Kalulu, Thiaw, and Ballo-Toure. Krunic and Tonali were rested in central midfield, while Vranckx and Pobega were introduced. Saelemaekers, De Ketelaere, and Rebic took the place of Diaz, Bennacer, and Leao ahead of the midfield pair, and Origi replaced Giroud up top.
The hosts were already in front before people even had a chance to find the seats. Bologna got off to a quick start, and the ball eventually travelled down the right flank. Sansone was first to a low cross that Posch cut back from the byline and slammed home past Maignan, who was unable to stop it in the Milan goal.
Rebic brought the ball down inside the box, but three Bologna defenders quickly surrounded him, and the ball was taken away. Aebischer was trying to get free down the right flank when Lucumi attempted to release him, but his long pass overhit and went past the winger and out for a throw-in.
Milan had their best chance thus far as they had been edging into the game gradually. Florenzi whipped the ball in from the right. This time, the ball was floated, but Rebic leapt well to attack it, and his headed attempt was well saved by Skorupski.
After that, Milan gets another opportunity. Florenzi, who just moments ago crossed for Rebic, took a free kick in the middle of the pitch. Although Skorupski effectively covered the ground to parry the attempt around the post, his effort did beat the wall. Saelemaekers’ long-range attempt from the corner missed the target.
When a loose ball fell to Aebischer, Bologna finally created their second opportunity of the contest. Maignan dove in response to his curling attempt from outside the box, but it easily cleared the bar.
Before the ball left the left side, Ballo-Toure did well to send in a cross. Origi was interested in the looping cross, but Skorupski did well to catch up with the Belgian and exert enough effort to seize possession of the ball on the second attempt and prevent the chance for a goal by heading.
They’ve had more possession and opportunities, and Milan has now tied the game through Pobega. Bologna failed to adequately clear Ballo-initial Toure’s cross, allowing Milan to re-use the ball on the edge of the box. Rebic found space to take a shot that was blocked, but the ball fell to Pobega’s feet and his left-footed effort flew into the net with Skorupski far out of position.
Saelemaekers displayed excellent touch to bring down ball while positioned on the Milan right flank. His cut back found Rebic, but the Croatian was unable to control the ball well enough to open up a chance for a goal shot.
Despite having little support, Origi did well down the right. Following a one-two with Saelemaekers, he crossed the ball into the back post. Ballo-Toure rose to attempt a header goal, but Skorupski easily made the save.
Zirkzee made a lively entrance and was actively trying to make life difficult for Milan’s defence. Before connecting with Barrow, he recovered a loose ball, but the winger was stopped and challenged before he could attempt a goal.
Vranckx received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, but the midfielder slipped as he attempted to strike, and the shot squirmed well wide of the net. Rebic jinxed out of several small spaces and began a frantic run up the pitch. When Dominguez finally had had enough, he tackled the Croatian and was given a yellow card.
Messias used all of his speed to sprint to the byline and cut the ball back for Rebic, but the forward was unable to direct the cross on goal. Soon after, Milan regained possession of the ball, and Leao and Pobega skillfully combined before the latter’s shot from close range was deflected wide.
The long-range attempt by Dominguez went straight down Maignan’s throat, making the Frenchman’s save easy to make. Calabria was forced to make a poor challenge after Lykogiannis drew him in from behind. He was given a warning.
FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE ON TWITTER
READ MORE;
Feyenoord 1-0 Roma: Giallorossi suffered a setback in first leg
Milan 1-0 Napoli: Rossoneri lead the first leg with a narrow win
Benfica 0-2 Inter: Nerazzurri takes an important lead in first leg