Milan - Bologna
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
Milan and Bologna's contrasting team morale is not truly evidenced in their current league positions.
Despite Milan technically being in the top six and Bologna in the bottom six, the Roberto Donadoni bounce instantly materialised for Bologna whilst Sinisa Mihajlovic continues to toil manfully in the pressure cooker, media mayhem of Milan.
The Rossoneri’s recent form has been mixed the team has the bad habit of playing to the level of the opposition. Not dropping points against Carpi and Verona would actually see them on 35 points with Roma, a team some still considered as possible Scudetto challengers. Kevin Prince Boateng will be available again with his 'reheated soup' deal now officially starting. The bipolar nature of Milan's performance in their 4-2 win, last game, against Frosinone typifies how hard it is to predict any Milan performance.
Defeats away to Torino and Empoli are the only real blots on Donadoni's Bologna copy book. The last away result before the Christmas break was a last gasp 1-0 road win at Genoa. That's the kind of win that punctuates the new found belief of a side that are incisive on the counter attack but can also be capable of more expansive play. In Italy a lot is made of 'the law of the ex' which is curious as players scoring and performing well against former teams is a straightforward nuance of the modern game. Donadoni and Destro will be hoping to be at the centre of such soundbites.
At this time of year fireworks displays are all the rage in Italy, this match has the potential ingredients to provide more.
Keep an eye on: Mattia Destro (Bologna) – The often misfiring striker saw an instant shift of narrative under his new Coach would be it. Destro is emblematic of Donadoni's work. He once more looks like the intelligent penalty box striker that pretty much averaged a goal a game at Siena and Roma. Connoisseurs of the direct, last defender rolling 'number 9' should get a double treat with Carlos Bacca also in fine fettle.
Form guide: Milan (W D D W W) Bologna (L W W L D)
Stat Fact: Bologna have not beaten Milan, home or away, since August 2008 with just four draws and seven defeats.
Milan (probable): Donnarumma, Abate, Alex, Mexes, De Sciglio, Honda, Montolivo, Bertolacci, Bonaventura, Bacca, Niang
Suspended: Romagnoli
Bologna (probable): Mirante, Rossettini, Oikonomou, Gastaldello, Masina, Taider, Diawara, Donsah, Mounier, Destro, Giaccherini
Suspended: None
Words: Federico Martone
Despite Milan technically being in the top six and Bologna in the bottom six, the Roberto Donadoni bounce instantly materialised for Bologna whilst Sinisa Mihajlovic continues to toil manfully in the pressure cooker, media mayhem of Milan.
The Rossoneri’s recent form has been mixed the team has the bad habit of playing to the level of the opposition. Not dropping points against Carpi and Verona would actually see them on 35 points with Roma, a team some still considered as possible Scudetto challengers. Kevin Prince Boateng will be available again with his 'reheated soup' deal now officially starting. The bipolar nature of Milan's performance in their 4-2 win, last game, against Frosinone typifies how hard it is to predict any Milan performance.
Defeats away to Torino and Empoli are the only real blots on Donadoni's Bologna copy book. The last away result before the Christmas break was a last gasp 1-0 road win at Genoa. That's the kind of win that punctuates the new found belief of a side that are incisive on the counter attack but can also be capable of more expansive play. In Italy a lot is made of 'the law of the ex' which is curious as players scoring and performing well against former teams is a straightforward nuance of the modern game. Donadoni and Destro will be hoping to be at the centre of such soundbites.
At this time of year fireworks displays are all the rage in Italy, this match has the potential ingredients to provide more.
Keep an eye on: Mattia Destro (Bologna) – The often misfiring striker saw an instant shift of narrative under his new Coach would be it. Destro is emblematic of Donadoni's work. He once more looks like the intelligent penalty box striker that pretty much averaged a goal a game at Siena and Roma. Connoisseurs of the direct, last defender rolling 'number 9' should get a double treat with Carlos Bacca also in fine fettle.
Form guide: Milan (W D D W W) Bologna (L W W L D)
Stat Fact: Bologna have not beaten Milan, home or away, since August 2008 with just four draws and seven defeats.
Milan (probable): Donnarumma, Abate, Alex, Mexes, De Sciglio, Honda, Montolivo, Bertolacci, Bonaventura, Bacca, Niang
Suspended: Romagnoli
Bologna (probable): Mirante, Rossettini, Oikonomou, Gastaldello, Masina, Taider, Diawara, Donsah, Mounier, Destro, Giaccherini
Suspended: None
Words: Federico Martone
The Rossoneri legend has worked wonders at his new club since taking over from Delio Rossi, giving the side breathing space from the relegation battle
Roberto Donadoni has played down Bologna's improved form since his arrival ahead of the AC Milan great taking his side to San Siro to face his old team on Wednesday.
Rossoneri favourite Donadoni took over from Delio Rossi in October, with Bologna having lost eight of their opening 10 Serie A games this season following their return to the top flight.
Donadoni has since stabilised the Rossoblu, who sit 15th - five points off the drop zone - after taking six points from three games before the mid-season break.
Bologna have won three of their last four away games while Donadoni has a record of three wins, two draws and seven losses against Milan as a coach in Serie A.
Donadoni lifted six Scudetti and three European Cups during two playing stints at San Siro and hinted during a recent interview he would be open to coaching Milan in the future.
Reflecting on Bologna's improved form, the former Italy international told Corriere dello Sport: "Our path is still difficult and January will be particularly tough with the distractions of the transfer window and ideas about where we could end up.
"Our only objective is to secure safety, the rest is just chatter. When a coach arrives mid-season, it means the team is struggling.
"I simply gave everyone the enthusiasm and desire to do what I like to do. Enthusiasm can become contagious."
Sinisa Mihajlovic's side meanwhile go into the new year sixth after ending 2015 with back-to-back wins over Sampdoria and Frosinone although a mixed campaign sees the Milan coach's future remain less than certain.
Milan have lost only one of their last 10 league fixtures and are unbeaten in the last four but sit eight points off leaders and cross-city rivals Inter.
Defender Alex - on target against Frosinone - maintains Mihajlovic is the man to keep Milan's season on track.
"Frosinone was difficult, we went there for the three points and we did that. We talked about this before the game - to win to have a good end of the year and now we want to keep winning," he told Milan Channel.
"I'm satisfied with my first half of the season. With this staff we are working well, Mihajlovic is a bit harder than other coaches I've had but he does it for the team, he is very good and helps us to ensure that every one of us gives our best on the field.
"January will be a very important month and all players in the group will be important."
Key Opta Stats
- Milan are unbeaten in their last 11 league games against Bologna.
- Milan have won five of the last six opening games of the calendar year, but lost last time on their return from the Christmas break against Sassuolo in January 2015.
- Bologna have made only 158 shots so far – fewer than any other Serie A team this term.
- Carlos Bacca has scored eight goals from his first 15 shots on target in Serie A.
- Giacomo Bonaventura is the player that has made the most shots on target in this campaign for the Rossoneri (16), and he has also made the joint-most assists of the whole Serie A (six).
- Milan have won five of the last six opening games of the calendar year, but lost last time on their return from the Christmas break against Sassuolo in January 2015.
- Bologna have made only 158 shots so far – fewer than any other Serie A team this term.
- Carlos Bacca has scored eight goals from his first 15 shots on target in Serie A.
- Giacomo Bonaventura is the player that has made the most shots on target in this campaign for the Rossoneri (16), and he has also made the joint-most assists of the whole Serie A (six).
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