As AC Milan gears up for their Serie A clash against Bologna on Friday night, head coach Sergio Conceicao is set to implement some changes to his lineup, but he won’t go overboard with rotation. This match serves as a crucial warm-up ahead of the Coppa Italia final in Rome, scheduled for May 14, 2025. Fresh off a victory against Genoa, the Rossoneri are looking to extend their positive momentum, having won four out of their last five matches. Meanwhile, Bologna is also in the thick of the Champions League race, sitting just one point shy of fourth place, making this an exciting matchup.
Conceicao has faced media speculation regarding a potential overhaul of his squad, especially with the high-stakes Coppa Italia final looming. However, with five key absences, including Rafael Leao, Youssouf Fofana, and Warren Bondo, he will have to tread carefully. According to reports from Di Marzio, the defensive lineup is expected to remain unchanged, featuring Tomori, Gabbia, and Pavlovic in front of goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Fans should keep an eye on Malick Thiaw, who is reportedly pushing for a starting position. The wing-backs will once again be Jimenez and Theo Hernandez, while the midfield will be anchored by Loftus-Cheek and Reijnders. In attack, Joao Felix is set to return to the starting lineup, taking Leao’s place, with Christian Pulisic on the opposite flank. The striker position is currently a contest between Gimenez and Jovic, with Gimenez holding the edge as of now.
The predicted AC Milan XI for the match against Bologna is as follows: Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Jimenez, Loftus-Cheek, Reijnders, Theo; Pulisic, Joao Felix; Gimenez.
In a broader context, AC Milan is also in discussions about potentially playing a historic Serie A fixture in Australia. The league is close to staging a match outside Italy for the first time, with either AC Milan or Inter Milan reportedly heading to Perth. This would mark a significant milestone for Serie A, and although UEFA approval is still a key hurdle, the prospect of a match in Australia has generated considerable excitement.
The last time AC Milan played in Australia was in May 2024 when they faced Roma at Optus Stadium, a match that showcased the growing interest in Italian football down under. If the plans come to fruition, it could open the door for more international fixtures, enhancing the global reach of Serie A.
As the match against Bologna approaches, all eyes will be on how Conceicao balances the immediate needs of the league with the impending Coppa Italia final. The Rossoneri are keen to solidify their position in Serie A while also preparing for a shot at silverware in the cup competition.
With the stakes high for both teams, fans can expect an intense match filled with drama and excitement. Will Milan continue their winning ways and keep pace in the league, or will Bologna capitalize on their opportunity to climb into Champions League contention? Only time will tell as the action unfolds on the pitch.
