Bologna FC staged a remarkable comeback to secure a 2-1 victory against AC Milan on February 27, 2025, at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium, marking another disappointing moment for the Rossoneri.
The match began with high stakes for both teams, as they competed not just for points but for positioning within the tightly contested Serie A table. Milan, having suffered setbacks recently—including being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League and losing to Torino—knew full well they had to bounce back to stay relevant for European competition spots.
Initially, the match showcased some tense moments as both teams exchanged early attempts, but it was not until the 42nd minute when Milan drew first blood. An accurate long ball from goalkeeper Mike Maignan was expertly headed down by Santiago Giménez, setting up Rafael Leão to capitalize with a swift run past Bologna’s defense, culminating in him slotting the ball past goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski. With this, Milan took a 1-0 lead just before halftime.
Despite the setback, Bologna entered the second half with renewed vigor. Just three minutes after the break, they found their equalizer. Following a free-kick situation, Bologna’s Giovanni Fabbian managed to redirect the ball, leading to Santiago Castro being positioned perfectly to tap it home from close range, tying the game at 1-1. This goal turned the momentum decidedly in Bologna's favor, amplifying the electrifying atmosphere among the home fans.
The home side continued to press, taking advantage of their aggressive demeanor and the slumping morale of their opponents. Milan struggled to regain control, relying on their forwards but failing to create clear chances. Changes were made, with Milan attempting to introduce fresh legs to reignite their attack, substituting the ineffective João Félix for Christian Pulisic.
Yet it was Bologna who would strike next, with the decisive goal arriving late in the game. Dan Ndoye, who had been impactful throughout the match, got on the end of a cross from Nicolò Cambiaghi. Despite being closely marked, Ndoye managed to shake off his defender, poking the ball past Maignan to give Bologna the lead at 2-1 with just eight minutes left on the clock.
Bologna's defenders, bolstered by the confidence of their lead, held firm against Milan's attempts to respond. Notably, the Rossoneri's front line failed to deliver under pressure, as star players like Leão and Yunus Musah were kept at bay. Two yellow cards were handed to Milan players, Malick Thiaw and Theo Hernández, as frustration mounted with their diminishing chances.
The final whistle blew, and Bologna celebrated their victory—a significant achievement as they climbed to sixth place, vying for European competition. With this win, they also moved ahead of Fiorentina, showcasing their resurgence under coach Vincenzo Italiano and the contributions made by pivotal players like Benjamín Domínguez and Santiago Castro, who both impressed the spectators.
On the flip side, Milan's manager Sérgio Conceição faces increasing pressure, as his squad now finds itself eighth and three points behind Bologna. Following this match, their path to European football now appears even more challenging as they need to dig deep just to catch up with their rivals. The echoes of this defeat linger not just for the players but also through the increasingly discontented Rossoneri fanbase.
With the Serie A season still cruising forward, Bologna has rekindled dreams of European qualifications, instilling hope among their supporters. The changing dynamics of the league only add to the intensity as each match grows more consequential.