Bologna-Milan 0-3: goals from Loftus-Cheek, Nkunku and Rabiot

It’s unusual for Milan to come in and strike, even close out the game in one half: that’s what the Rossoneri did in Bologna, with the opponent offering only timid resistance. Milan passed already after twenty minutes with Loftus-Cheek (and could have done so even earlier) and doubled their lead with Nkunku’s penalty. The initial dribble of the rossoblù of Italiano and Allegri who on the other hand regrets the errors of his team in speed does not reflect what will happen shortly thereafter. It’s a different Milan, immediately aggressive. And it is curious that three of the best of the first part, or at least those who decide, are actually the replacements of the very starters. Athekame on the right is an excellent source of crosses, Loftus scores and participates in Nkunku’s 0-2, who in turn was involved in the first Rossoneri goal.

without rafa and Pulisic

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In the middle the usual majestic Rabiot and Modric, with the help of Fofana’s muscles (a header opportunity for him too) while the improvised attack, due to Pulisic’s withdrawal and the physical conditions that pushed Leao to the bench for the entire match, struck. Loftus-Cheek missed a sensational counterattack after less than ten minutes but then made up for it by scoring the first goal. He doesn’t rejoice, perhaps still sorry for the missed opportunity just before. In the opening action there is the participation of Nkunku, who manages to hit a header, and then the assist from Rabiot. Modric instead starts the doubling action, with Loftus catching Nkunku in the area who was brought down by Ravaglia. Penalty with control at VAR: the positions of the AC Milan players are regular, the contact in the area is evident. Five minutes from the 45th minute, Milan are two ahead: Nkunku scores his fifth Rossoneri goal, the third from a penalty. Three out of three attempts. Bologna soon put out the initial fire, reacting without vehemence to the goals which saw the rossoblù defense decidedly responsible: more than distracted, too soft in the opposition.

assist Bologna

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What happens at the beginning of the second half is perfectly in line with the first part of the game, if not worse (for Bologna). Miranda’s mistake is in fact a sensational superficiality: directly from a lateral foul Rabiot provides the assist for the Rossoneri’s third goal. And here the game really ends. Adrien celebrates under the curve of the away AC Milan fans, the whole team (including the bench) follows him. Allegri screams and it is almost a battle cry in view of the second part of the season: Max reiterates to exhaustion that the team’s objective is to regain the Champions League zone. But Inter are at +5, whether many or few depends on your point of view. The Nerazzurri are better equipped and experienced, but also more committed. Milan scores the hat-trick in Bologna (it could have been poker if Füllkrug also completed at least one of the two chances in the final) without the starting attack or even Saelemaekers. A success like this makes you think: Maignan, moreover, once again keeps the door closed. For Bologna it is the third consecutive defeat in the championship, where they have won only once in the last eleven games. Yesterday it seemed like a team emptied, in ideas and spirit, surrendering too soon: even to the Rossoneri trio the reaction was modest, with Maignan never really involved. Milan will rest for ten days before returning to Pisa on Friday 13th, the third and final away match in a row. Bologna must meet Parma in the next Emilian derby.