The Rossoneri need a win to close the gap to 5 points behind Inter. Leao will start on the bench, while Pulisic is out. Loftus will lead the attack

Victories by Inter, Napoli, and Juventus mean Milan must travel to Bologna to secure the three points. Not only to stay in hot pursuit of league-leading Inter, but also to avoid losing ground to two of their direct rivals for a spot in next season’s Champions League and to extend their lead over Roma, who were defeated in Udine. Against teams in the lower half of the standings, the Rossoneri have never lost (7 wins and 3 draws), and Allegri wants to continue this “tradition” by extending the streak of 21 positive results (13 wins and 8 draws) that began after the loss to Cremonese on opening day. This is a delicate moment in the season, however, because tonight at the Dall’Ara, Maignan and his teammates will play their fifth away game out of their last eight without two key players (Saelemaekers and Pulisic), and with Leao and Füllkrug not at their best. Their offensive firepower, therefore, will be reduced. Not ideal for the Rossoneri, who are looking to get back on track and secure three points after the draw in Rome and ahead of the ten-day break that will separate tonight’s match from Friday the 13th’s game in Pisa (the Milan vs. Como match originally scheduled for the 8th has been rescheduled for the 18th).

Allegri knows it’s time to grit his teeth, to bring home the result even if it means playing “dirty” or… taking a narrow victory. As might have happened at the Giallorossi’s Olimpico if it hadn’t been for the penalty caused by Bartesaghi. The injury list isn’t helping matters because, in addition to Gimenez, Saelemaekers has thrown in the towel after tests on his left adductor following a relapse in Rome (out for at least a couple of weeks); Pulisic, on the other hand, has an iliopsoas issue (he hopes to return in Pisa). Max, who had used him in the closing minutes against Gasperini’s team, had hoped to have him available at least for the bench, but after yesterday’s final training session, he didn’t board the train with his teammates. In attack, Nkunku and Loftus-Cheek were tested to make Milan more battle-ready. The alternative is to start Leao and Nkunku together, but Rafa isn’t at his best due to groin pain: he struggles to sprint and change pace, and realizes he can’t perform at his best. That’s why Allegri plans to bring him into the fray during the game, while waiting for him to return to top form. The same goes for Füllkrug, whose fractured right toe still prevents him from playing a full ninety minutes.

Rematch and Rabiot—  On the other hand, the Frenchman—who missed a training session this week due to an injury—has recovered, and his presence is certain. He and Modric will form the backbone of the team that won the first leg 1-0 (with a goal from the Croatian), but which feels it must secure a repeat victory to finally erase the memory of the Coppa Italia final lost to the Rossoblù in Rome last May. Because of that loss, the Diavolo will be watching from the sidelines in European competition during the 2025–26 season. Thinking back on that match, Fofana—who has the edge over Ricci to round out the midfield—is eager for revenge; in defense, Pavlovic will take Tomori’s place, with De Winter shifting to the right side of the center.