Bologna shocked AC Milan with a stunning comeback victory on February 27, 2025, delivering the first triumph over the Rossoneri since 2002. The game took place at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, where Milan initially took the lead through Rafael Leão's goal in the first half but saw their lead dissipate as Bologna surged back with two goals after the break.
The match was tightly contested from the start. Milan seemed to stamp their authority early on. Leão put them on the scoreboard with a well-crafted goal just before halftime, showcasing his speed and finishing ability. It was the kind of goal every striker dreams of; after being fed by Santiago Jiménez’s header, he displayed remarkable calm to slot the ball past Bologna’s goalkeeper, Łukasz Skorupski, giving the Rossoneri the lead at 1-0.
Despite this promising start, Milan's performance was marred by defensive lapses and missed opportunities throughout the match. The earlier struggle of the Rossoneri, who had dropped points recently, was still at the forefront of their minds. Central defender Malik Tiav acknowledged the team's issues post-match, noting, “We defended well, but we suffered from individual mistakes. It’s not about tactics. We just need to be more focused,” as Milan faced mounting pressure to reverse their poor run of form.
The second half began ominously for the visitors. Just one minute after the restart, Bologna equalized. A well-executed set-piece saw Lorenzo De Silvestri play the ball short to Giovanni Fabiani, whose shot deflected to Santiago Castro, who netted to make it 1-1. Milan players protested vigorously around the referee, alleging handball against Fabiani, but VAR intervened and upheld the goal, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.
After conceding, Milan attempted to regain momentum. Yunus Musah provided some life, with his brilliant solo run testing Skorupski. Yet, their efforts with attempts by Luka Jovic and others came up short, all too weak and easily handled by the Bologna defense.
Bologna continued to press, and their tenacity paid off. The defining moment came at the 82nd minute when Dan Ndoye scored Bologna's second. He capitalized on Milan’s lack of defensive discipline, bundling the ball home after Jakub Kaczmarek’s dangerous cross found him unmarked. Milan’s inability to track their man proved costly; the Rossoneri had let their concentration slip, allowing Bologna to take control.
From there, Milan scrambled for the equalizer, but desperation hindered their effectiveness as Bologna's defense held firm. Despite several attempts, they were unable to breach Bologna’s resolute line.
With this win, Bologna not only secured three pivotal points but also reaffirmed their solid positioning within the Serie A standings, rising to sixth place, just five points from Champions League qualification. This victory marked Bologna's first win against AC Milan since 2002, illustrating how far they’ve come as they seek to build on previous successes.
Meanwhile, Milan remains stagnant on the Serie A table, now ranking eighth with 41 points, as worries about Champions League qualification mount. The defeat follows another setback against Torino, which also ended unfavorably for the Rossoneri. Milan's lack of form and growing pressure points to serious discussions needed within the club as they navigate the challenges of the season.
Subsequent matches will be pivotal for Milan as they not only need to recover their momentum but also to identify effective strategies to navigate these challenging times. Bologna, meanwhile, celebrates this famed victory, marking clear evidence of their ambitions and resilience within Italy’s top tier.