A comeback at San Siro
Bologna’s 4-2 win at AC Milan was the most striking result of their season so far. According to [1], Bologna came from behind and Samuel Mbangula scored a hat-trick. The result handed Rúben Amorim his first league defeat as Milan coach. Before it, Milan had been unbeaten in Serie A and sat fifth on 18 points after eight matches.
The scoreline came with an admission from the other side. Milan captain Mike Maignan said Bologna were better in the penalty area, as [2] reported. A goalkeeper’s verdict on where the game was decided carries weight, and it matches what the scoreboard showed. Bologna scored four times from their chances and Milan could not stop them.
A hat-trick away from home also puts one name at the front of the Bologna story. Mbangula’s three goals turned a deficit into a win that the club will remember for the rest of the season.
Milan’s side of the story
The result came at a difficult time for Milan. [3] reported before kick-off that six players were out injured, among them Rabiot, Moreira, Gila, Saelemaekers, Chukwueze and Gabbia. A separate preview put the number at eight, adding Loftus-Cheek. Milan were also expected to rotate, with Modric and Jashari possibly replaced.
The night got worse for them. Fikayo Tomori left before half-time with an injury, [1] said, ahead of the Derby della Madonnina on Saturday. Milan’s defeat was their second in three matches, and they now sit seven points behind Inter and Lazio at the top of the table. Maignan said the team must avoid overreacting but needs to defend better after losing the ball.
None of this takes credit from Bologna. A depleted opponent still has to be beaten, and Bologna did it with four goals away from home.
Bologna’s run on the road
The win at San Siro was not an isolated result. [1] noted that Bologna had already won their previous two away league games, at Lecce and Cagliari. Our records show the scores: 2-1 at Lecce on 11 October, 2-0 at Cagliari on 24 October and then 4-2 at Milan on 28 October. That is three away wins in a row, with nine goals scored and three conceded.
Home form has been less convincing. Bologna drew 1-1 with Torino on 19 September and lost 3-1 at home to Inter on 17 October. Among the last five league results, the only two matches played at the Dall’Ara brought a draw and a defeat. Bologna have been better away than at home.
That contrast matters for the next fixture, because Monza visit Bologna rather than the reverse.
What it means
Bologna are 11th in Serie A with 11 points from nine games: three wins, two draws and four defeats. They have scored 12 and conceded 12, so the goal difference is level. That is a mid-table record, and the Milan win is the main reason it does not look worse. A side on seven points would be looking over its shoulder; a side on 11 has room to build.
The recent form points upward. Three wins in the last four league games, with the one defeat coming against Inter, suggest a team that is scoring when it matters. The 4-2 away win shows the attack can hurt a strong opponent, though conceding twice shows the defence is not airtight.
The next fixture asks a different question. On 31 October Bologna host Monza, and the pressure shifts from underdog to expected winner. Their home results this season, a draw and a loss in the last five league games, show that is not automatic. The site’s forecast for the match locks 24 hours before kick-off. The question is whether a team that has travelled well can turn that form into points at home.
Sources
- Football Italia: Serie A | Milan 2-4 Bologna: Mbangula hat-trick inflicts first Amorim league defeat football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Maignan won’t throw ‘fuel on fire’ after Milan’s 4-2 loss vs. Bologna football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Serie A: Milan vs. Bologna – Probable line-ups and where to watch on TV football-italia.net ↩
