Luka Modric scores his first Serie A goal as Milan edge Bologna in a tight match marked by three woodwork hits, injuries to Maignan and Pavlovic, and Allegri’s late red card.
Milan returned to winning ways at San Siro with a gritty 1-0 victory over Bologna, thanks to a moment of brilliance from Luka Modric. The Croatian maestro struck just after the hour mark to give the Rossoneri all three points in a match where they hit the woodwork three times and saw coach Massimiliano Allegri sent off for protesting a late VAR decision.
Allegri opted for a physically strong starting lineup, with Loftus-Cheek supporting Gimenez up front and Rabiot anchoring the midfield. Pulisic started on the bench, while new signing Nkunku was eased into action after a limited preseason. Bologna’s coach Italiano handed a start to Ferguson and kept faith with Fabbian and Cambiaghi behind striker Castro.
The first half offered few clear chances. Cambiaghi had a goal correctly disallowed for offside, while Milan went closest through Estupinan, who rattled the post at the half-hour mark. Gimenez then clipped the woodwork again just before halftime as the home crowd grew restless.
The breakthrough came in the 61st minute. Saelemaekers delivered a perfect assist and Modric, with a first-time strike, curled the ball past Skorupski to score his first Serie A goal and send San Siro into celebration.
Milan pushed for a second and came agonizingly close when Ricci’s long-range effort was denied by the post, and Gimenez struck the woodwork for the third time of the night in the 83rd minute. Nkunku, making his debut, appeared to win a penalty moments later, but referee Marcenaro overturned the decision after reviewing the play on the pitch-side monitor. Allegri’s furious reaction earned him a red card.
Despite the drama, Milan held firm to secure a valuable win, though the night was marred by injuries to goalkeeper Maignan and defender Pavlovic, both forced off with muscle problems.
Milan 1-0 Bologna – Match Report
Scorer: 61’ Modric (M)
AC MILAN (3-5-1-1): Maignan (55’ Terracciano), Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic (46’ De Winter); Saelemaekers, Fofana (65’ Ricci), Modric, Rabiot, Estupinan; Loftus-Cheek (65’ Pulisic); Gimenez (85’ Nkunku).
Coach: Allegri
BOLOGNA (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Zortea, Lucumi, Heggem, Lykogiannis (62’ Miranda); Freuler, Ferguson; Orsolini (74’ Rowe), Fabbian (62’ Bernardeschi), Cambiaghi (74’ Odgaard); Castro (83’ Dallinga).
Coach: Italiano
Referee: Marcenaro
Booked: Estupinan (M), Tomori (M), Saelemaekers (M), Miranda (B)
Sent off: Allegri (M)
