Total domination from Milan as Allegri’s side cruise past Bologna and close the gap on Inter at the top of the Serie A table.
Milan delivered a commanding statement on Matchday 23, sweeping aside Bologna with a convincing 3–0 away win at the Dall’Ara. Goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christopher Nkunku and Adrien Rabiot capped a one-sided contest, as Massimiliano Allegri’s team responded emphatically to victories by Inter, Napoli and Juventus.
Despite the absence of traditional attacking reference points, Milan dictated the tempo from the opening whistle and never allowed Bologna into the game. The hosts, meanwhile, suffered another home defeat, collecting just one point from their last six matches at the Dall’Ara.
Milan started aggressively and went close early through Loftus-Cheek, denied only by a sharp intervention from Ravaglia. The breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute after sustained pressure: Ravaglia parried Nkunku’s header, but Rabiot reacted quickest and squared the ball for Loftus-Cheek, who finished from close range to make it 0–1.
Bologna struggled to respond, losing physical and technical battles across the pitch. The Rossoneri doubled their lead just before halftime. In the 39th minute, a perfectly weighted ball from Loftus-Cheek sent Nkunku through on goal; the Frenchman anticipated the goalkeeper and won a penalty, which he converted calmly to put Milan firmly in control.
Any hope of a Bologna reaction after the break was extinguished almost immediately. Just three minutes into the second half, a poorly handled throw-in by Miranda turned into an involuntary assist for Rabiot, who shrugged off Heggem and finished decisively past Ravaglia for the 0–3.
From there, Milan managed the match with authority, conserving energy and even leaving Rafael Leão on the bench as a precaution. Bologna never found the rhythm or solutions needed to threaten a comeback, as Allegri’s side saw out the win with ease.
The result keeps Milan solidly in second place and cuts the deficit to league leaders Inter to five points. For Bologna, however, alarm bells are ringing, with confidence and intensity visibly lacking at a crucial stage of the season.
Match Report: Bologna 0–3 Milan
Scorers:
20’ Loftus-Cheek (Milan), 39’ Nkunku (pen.) (Milan), 48’ Rabiot (Milan)
Bologna (4-2-3-1):
Ravaglia; Zortea, Casale, Heggem, Miranda (Lykogiannis 78’); Ferguson, Freuler (Moro 65’); Orsolini (Bernardeschi 54’), Odgaard, Rowe (Cambiaghi 78’); Castro (Dallinga 54’).
Head coach: Vincenzo Italiano.
Milan (3-5-1-1):
Maignan; De Winter, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Athekame (Tomori 67’), Fofana, Modric (Jashari 72’), Rabiot, Bartesaghi (Estupiñán 84’); Loftus-Cheek (Ricci 67’); Nkunku (Füllkrug 72’).
Head coach: Massimiliano Allegri.
Referee: Manganiello
Yellow cards: Ravaglia, Freuler, Ferguson (Bologna)
