Bologna Edges Milan with Late Goal in Serie A Thriller

Bologna, Italy — Bologna secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over AC Milan on February 27, 2025, at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, pulling off a comeback after falling behind in the first half.

The match, a rescheduled fixture of the ninth round of Serie A, saw Milan take the lead through Rafael Leão in the 43rd minute. However, Bologna responded powerfully in the second half, leveling the score with a goal from Santiago Castro just three minutes after the break.

As the match progressed, Bologna continued to press for a winner, and they were rewarded when Dan Ndoye found the net in the 82nd minute, sealing the comeback. This victory marks a significant turnaround for Bologna, who had lost their previous match to Parma 2-0, while Milan was also coming off a loss, having succumbed to Torino 2-1.

Bologna’s coach, Vincenzo Italiano, emphasized the importance of the win. “We showed resilience tonight, especially after going down. The team fought hard and believed they could turn it around,” he stated post-match.

Conversely, Milan’s manager, Sérgio Conceição, expressed disappointment but acknowledged Bologna’s effective play. “We started strong but lost our grip after their equalizer. We need to learn from this,” he said.

With the victory, Bologna climbed to sixth in the Serie A standings, accumulating 44 points from 26 matches. The club has now managed a commendable record of 11 wins, 11 draws, and 4 losses. On the other hand, Milan fell to eighth place with 41 points, showcasing a mixed performance throughout the season.

The first half was characterized by tension, with both teams attempting to assert dominance. Milan struck first, taking advantage of a miscommunication in Bologna’s defense as Leão capitalized on a slick assist from Santiago Giménez, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski.

Post the halftime break, Bologna emerged with renewed vigor. Castro’s goal was a product of teamwork, as he latched onto a precise pass from Giovanni Fabbian, defeating Milan’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

At the 82-minute mark, the Dall’Ara erupted when Ndoye executed a perfect strike after a swift build-up play initiated by Tommaso Pobega and Nicolò Cambiaghi. Ndoye’s clinical finish showcased Bologna’s attacking prowess, turning the match in their favor.

Although Milan pressed for an equalizer in the closing minutes, Bologna’s defense held firm, with Skorupski making crucial saves to ensure the win.

The head-to-head history remains daunting for Bologna; it was the first triumph over Milan in Serie A since January 2016, ending a streak of 17 consecutive matches without a win against the Rossoneri.

Looking ahead, Bologna will aim to build on this momentum, while Milan will need to regroup and address their defensive lapses as they prepare for their next fixtures ahead.