AC Milan vs Bologna, the points battle is about to break out

The Serie A League on May 9, 2025 will usher in a key showdown - AC Milan will face Bologna at home. Currently, AC Milan ranks 9th in the league with 57 points, while Bologna ranks 7th with 62 points, just one step away from the Europa League qualification zone. In the standings, the two teams seem to have only 5 points, but this gap is like a "five-step step", which directly determines the pressure on both sides to compete for European seats. For Bologna, if this battle wins, it will further consolidate its chances of attacking the European war; and if AC Milan cannot score all three points, it may completely withdraw from the competition for European war qualifications.

Recent status: Ice and Fire

AC Milan's ups and downs curves

Although AC Milan had encountered a trough in the middle of the season, its status has recovered recently. It has won three consecutive victories in the past three league games, showing a certain rebound momentum. However, if the timeline is extended to the last five rounds of the game, its performance will fluctuate significantly - the record of 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses is like a "roller coaster track", which has both the highlights of defeating strong opponents at home and the decline of unexpected points lost away games. The decline in offensive efficiency is particularly worthy of vigilance: it has only scored 1 goal per game in the last three games, which is in sharp contrast to the full firepower at the beginning of the season. Bologna's stable climbing has been more stable in recent years, compared with Bologna's recent performance. The team has remained unbeaten in the league for six consecutive rounds (4 wins and 2 draws), and has conceded only 4 goals on the defensive end, which is called "the hardest shield in recent times in Serie A." This stability comes from the close cooperation between the midfield and the backcourt, especially the interception ability of the midfield players and the sense of position in the back line, making it difficult for the opponent to find a breakthrough gap.

Tactical Game: Quadratic Equation of Spear and Shield

Milan's Wing Engine and Efficiency Dilemma

AC Milan's offensive system relies heavily on the personal abilities of the wing blasters Leo and Pulisic. The speed and breakthrough of the two are like "twin turbocharged", which can instantly tear open the opponent's defense line. However, the end efficiency problem exposed by the team recently is just like a "missile with insufficient accuracy", and it frequently misses excellent opportunities. Center Giroud's age has led to a decline in deterrence in front of the goal, and young players have not yet fully filled this vacancy, making Milan's offense often "thunderous and small raindrops".

Bologna's defensive philosophy

Bologna's tactical style is more pragmatic, and uses a 4-4-2 formation to compress the middle lane space, forming a local numerical advantage through the retrace of the wing forward. This "crack chain"-like layout makes it difficult for the opponent to penetrate. In the counterattack, the team relied on the running of forward Orsolini and the accurate long pass of midfielder Ferguson to form a "lightning surprise attack". This offensive and defensive balance tactic is like a "precision gear set", and the biting of each link is crucial.

Key players: weights on the winning and losing balance

Leo vs Orsolini: Speed ​​duel

Leo's breakthrough success rate (3.2 per game) and Orsolini's counterattack threat (making 4 goals in the last 5 games) will become the focus of the game. The direct dialogue between the two may determine the direction of the game - the former is the "key" for Milan to break the deadlock, and the latter is the "fuze" for Bologna's counterattack.

Battle for control of the midfield

Milan's Loftus Chik and Bologna's Ferguson will start a "stranger battle" in the midfield. If Chik's propulsion ability (1.8 key passes per game) is limited, Milan's offensive chain will stagnate; if Ferguson's interception data (2.3 per game) is further improved, Bologna's counterattack chances will increase exponentially.

Winning and Losing Hands: Details determine height

Setting Football: Hidden Killer

Milan scored 12 goals through set pieces this season, accounting for 21% of the total goals, while Bologna's air defense ability (62% of the average top-scoring success rate) is slightly weak. Corner kicks and free kick opportunities may become the "icy-breaking hammer" for Milan to break the deadlock.

Fitness Allocation: The endurance test of the final sprint

Fitness Allocation at the end of the game is particularly critical. The average running distance (108km) of Milan's main players is slightly higher than that of Bologna (105km), but the latter has a better bench depth. If the battle is in a stalemate, Bologna's "back hand" may become the decisive factor.

Score prediction: The interweaving of honor and reality

Combining the state and tactical characteristics of both sides, this game is likely to be a "stalemate". AC Milan has a home advantage, but the offensive efficiency problem is difficult to solve quickly; Bologna's defense is stable, but the away game may be more conservative. The final score may be tied with a 1-1 draw, or Milan will win 1-0 with a key player's inspiration. Regardless of the result, this showdown will add a strong mark to the competition for European qualifications at the end of the Serie A season.