The 23rd round of Serie A concludes with a heavyweight clash at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara as Bologna hosts AC Milan tonight, Tuesday, February 3, 2026. While Milan is desperate to close the five-point gap on league leaders Inter, Bologna is looking to halt a slide that has seen them fall to 9th place after a difficult winter run.
Massimiliano Allegri’s Milan side arrives with a historic 21-match unbeaten streak in Serie A, but they face a Bologna team that famously defeated them in the Coppa Italia final last season and is always a threat on home soil.
Match Details
Fixture: Bologna FC 1909 vs AC Milan
Competition: Serie A Enilive (Matchday 23)
Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Time: 19:45 UTC / 20:45 CET
Venue: Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna
Referee: Gianluca Manganiello
Pre-Match Analysis: Scudetto Ambition vs. Mid-Table Grit
AC Milan: Allegri’s Unbeaten Streak
Milan is enjoying an exceptional campaign, currently sitting in 2nd place with 47 points. Under Allegri, the Rossoneri have become a model of defensive pragmatism, conceding only 17 goals in 22 matches. However, recent weeks have seen a slight drop in offensive efficiency, underscored by a 1-1 draw against Roma where they struggled to convert dominance into goals.
The biggest challenge tonight is squad availability. With key creators like Christian Pulisic and Alexis Saelemaekers ruled out, Milan will rely heavily on the defensive organization that has kept them unbeaten for over five months.
Bologna: Searching for a Turning Point
Vincenzo Italiano’s side is currently in 9th place with 30 points. After a brilliant start to the season, their form has dipped; they have managed only one victory in their last ten league games. Defensive fragility has been their "Achilles' heel," as they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last ten Serie A matches.
Despite their league struggles, Bologna remains dangerous. They are fresh off a 3-0 Europa League win against Maccabi Tel Aviv and possess a potent attack featuring Riccardo Orsolini (7 goals) and Santiago Castro (6 goals).
Team News & Injury Reports
Bologna Team News
The hosts are facing a minor crisis in goal and defense. Starting goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski is suspended following a red card against Genoa, leaving Federico Ravaglia to deputize.
Key Absences: Lukasz Skorupski (Suspended), Jhon Lucumí (Injury), Lorenzo De Silvestri (Injury), Nicolò Cambiaghi (Injury).
New Arrival: Former Juventus veteran João Mário has joined the squad and is expected to start on the bench.
Player to Watch: Riccardo Orsolini. The winger is Bologna’s creative engine and top scorer.
AC Milan Team News
Allegri has a significant "creative void" to fill. Christian Pulisic (bursitis) and Alexis Saelemaekers (adductor) did not travel. Rafael Leão is struggling with a minor adductor issue; while he is in the squad, sources suggest he may start on the bench to avoid aggravation.
Key Absences: Christian Pulisic, Alexis Saelemaekers, Santiago Gimenez (Ankle).
The Midfield: Veteran Luka Modrić is expected to start, bringing much-needed experience to a depleted attack.
Player to Watch: Christopher Nkunku. With Pulisic and potentially Leão out of the starting XI, Nkunku will be the primary focal point of the Rossoneri attack.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Bologna (4-2-3-1):
Ravaglia; Zortea, Vitík, Heggem, Miranda; Freuler, Nikola Moro; Orsolini, Odgaard, Rowe; Santiago Castro.
AC Milan (3-5-1-1):
Maignan; De Winter, Gabbia, Pavlović; Athekame, Fofana, Modrić, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Loftus-Cheek; Nkunku.
Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats
Historic Dominance: Milan is unbeaten in 30 of their last 33 matches against Bologna in all competitions.
The Unbeaten Run: Milan’s 21-game unbeaten streak is the longest currently active in Europe’s top five leagues.
Reverse Fixture: Milan won 1-0 at the San Siro in September 2025.
Home Struggle: Bologna has won only one of their last eight home games across all competitions.
Prediction: Bologna 1-2 AC Milan
Bologna will be aggressive and likely find the net given Milan's missing defensive wingers, but the visitors' tactical discipline under Allegri usually prevails in these "must-win" Scudetto scenarios. Even with a rotated squad, Milan's bench depth and defensive stability should see them past a Bologna side that is currently leaking goals.
Top Betting Tips:
Full-Time Result: Milan Win. Despite the injuries, their unbeaten momentum is too strong to ignore.
Both Teams to Score (BTTS): Yes. Bologna has scored in six straight games, and Milan has conceded in four of their last five.
Total Goals: Over 1.5. Given Bologna's defensive errors and Milan's need for points, a 0-0 is unlikely.
Anytime Goalscorer: Christopher Nkunku. He will lead the line and is Milan’s most clinical available finisher.
