clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Milan vs Bologna: Match Preview, Team News & How To Watch

Having dropped out of the Europa League places, Milan will be looking to reclaim sixth place as they visit Bologna.

Mario Balotelli has scored on every occasion he's faced Bologna in Serie A
Mario Balotelli has scored on every occasion he's faced Bologna in Serie A
Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Last weekend, an already disappointing season went from bad to worse as Milan laboured to a lacklustre draw against minnows Frosinone, consequently relinquishing sixth place to Sassuolo who beat Verona on the same day. As things stand, Milan are no longer guaranteed European football next season. Unless the Rossoneri can reclaim sixth place in the remaining two matches of the season, they'll need to beat Juventus in the Coppa Italia final to gain entry to into the Europa League.

Milan have been in free-fall since the sacking of Sinisa Mihajlovic with his successor Cristian Brocchi winning just one of his four matches in charge thus far. A dramatic turn around is needed in these final two games to save Milan's season. Milan are set to host Roma on the final match day of the Serie A season, but first they must navigate a difficult away trip to Bologna.

Despite enjoying a positive season under Milan legend Roberto Donadoni, the Rossoblu have struggled in recent weeks. Like Milan, Bologna have won just one of their last six matches. Despite comfortably avoiding the threat of relegation, they've been poor in recent weeks with a 6-0 thrashing from Napoli the highlight of a truly horrendous run of form. Moreover, Bologna will be without talismanic striker Mattia Destro due to injury. Whilst Bologna have the home advantage, they ought to be very beatable for Milan. Recent form suggests that Milan might struggle in this match, but if they can't win this time around then there really is no hope for this team.

Giacomo Bonaventura, Andrea Bertolacci and Luca Antonelli will all miss the match through injury, with Mattia De Sciglio replacing the latter in the starting line-up. Brocchi is expected to name an unchanged starting 11 otherwise. The under fire coach is expected to give Mario Balotelli another run out, as the mercurial forward looks to prove himself to the club's hierarchy in the hope of earning a permanent transfer. Jose Mauri looks to have locked down a position in the midfield and is beginning to really flourish in Bertolacci's stead. Bologna got the better of the Rossoneri back in January, triumphing 1-0 at the San Siro. Milan can't afford to let it happen again this time too.

Predicted Line-Ups

Milan: 4-3-1-2 - Gianluigi Donnarumma; Ignazio AbateAlex, Alessio Romagnoli, Mattia De Sciglio; Juraj Kucka, Riccardo Montolivo, Jose Mauri; Keisuke Honda; Carlos Bacca, Mario Balotelli.

Bologna: 4-3-3 - Antonio Mirante; Ibrahim M'Baye, Domenico Maietta, Daniele Gastaldello, Adam Masina; Godfred Donsah, Amadou Diawara, Matteo Brighi; Franco Brienza, Sergio Floccari, Emanuele Giaccherini.

How To Watch

Where: Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna.

When: 20.45pm local, 14.45pm EST, 7 May 2016.

TV: SKY Calcio 1 (Italy), RAI International (USA)

Online: Sky Go Italia (Italy), BT Sport Connect (UK), beIN Sports Connect (USA)

International listings can be viewed here.

Score Prediction

It's impossible to predict the outcome of Milan matches at the minute, but we really do have to be optimistic at this point.

Bologna 0-1 Milan.