Milan 3–1 Bologna Player Ratings: Santiago Gimenez’s Brace Helps AC Milan Record a Crucial Win Against Bologna in the League

Milan produced a fine comeback to win 3-1 at San Siro against Bologna. The first half ended goalless as both teams sparred at times without going at full force. However, the visitors stopped pulling their punches as their highest goal scorer, Riccardo Orsolini, came to the party. He scored a fantastic curler to open the scoring early in the second half. Milan got their response through substitute Santiago Gimenez, who found the target after Christian Pulisic found him in the box. Pulisic turned the scorer shortly afterwards as he fired home a blocked shot to turn the game on its head. Gimenez scored one more to seal the result late in the game.

The hosts were on a roll by winning three consecutive games in all competitions. They hoped to maintain the momentum and push for a top-four finish to secure a Champions League spot. Sergio Conceicao's side made only one change to the team that beat Genoa in the league. Youssof Fofana's injury meant Ruben Loftus-Cheek kept his place in the lineup, and João Felix replaced the suspended Rafael Leão in the lineup. A win would mean a lot given these sides go against each other again in the Coppa Italia final midweek.

Bologna were winless in their last two league games as they slid down the table. They knew they had no room for errors if they wanted to finish in the top 4 and confirm Champions League football again. Vincenzo Italiano's side made plenty of changes with an eye on the final against the same opposition. Key players like Jhon Lucumi, Lewis Ferguson and Juan Miranda were rested as the others who were fit and available got a chance.

Bologna started the game brightly with an eye on a rare league double over AC Milan after 85 years. Their wingers, Riccardo Orsolini and Benjamin Dominguez, posed numerous problems to AC Milan's defence early in the game. A heavy coming together with Orsolini put Fikayo Tomori's evening in danger as the Englishman succumbed to an injury and left the field. There were doubts cast immediately over his availability for the final in 5 days.

The hosts had their first real opportunity of the game when Christian Pulisic ran through on goal. But the American was denied by a fantastic block by the Greek full-back Charalambos Lykogiannis. It prompted the hosts to create chances in quick succession for João Felix and Luka Jovic, who fluffed their lines. The latter's miss was more baffling, considering it was a straightforward header.

Both sides then tried to take the lead but failed in their attempts as the defences came out on top. However, Bologna had two gilt-edged chances towards the end of the half to take the lead. Orsolini skied a cut-back from yards out, and the ex-Milan man Tomasso Pobega failed to get his header on target. It felt like this game was just a sparring session, keeping the next week's cup final in mind.

Bologna made their dominance count early in the second half as their star man, Orsolini, opened the scoring. He received a flick on from Thijs Dalling and teased his marker, Strahinja Pavlovic, before finding the bottom corner with an excellent curling effort past a diving Mike Maignan.

After going ahead, they were never bothered by the hosts, who failed to create clear-cut opportunities. The visitors maintained a compact shape and played risk-free football. It was perhaps justifiable, keeping the midweek final in mind. Both sides made plenty of changes around the hour mark as they realised the importance of the next game. The changes did pay off for AC Milan as they got an equaliser.

Bolgona were dispossessed in the middle of the park as substitute Samuel Chukwueze picked up the ball and drove towards the goal. His square pass was deflected into the path of Pulisic, who picked out Santiago Gimenez. The substitute kept his cool head and rolled his finish through the legs of Lukasz Sorupski to restore parity in the game. It set up an interesting final quarter of the game as both sides fancied an equal chance.

It was Pulisic who stepped up for the hosts as they took the lead in the 79th minute. Chukwueze was the instigator again as he drove past his full-back to set up Felix in the box. The Portuguese's shot was blocked and fell kindly for the American, who gave his laces to it and crashed the ball into the back of the net to finish the comeback. Bolgona's defence was shell-shocked as they were simply outplayed by individual brilliance from Milan's attackers.

It was a matter of seeing the game out for Milan's defence heading into the final 10 minutes. The hosts kept their shape in defence before delivering the knockout punch through Gimenez. The substitute received another offload from Chukwueze and chopped past Lorezno Silvestri before finding the bottom corner to put the result beyond doubt.

It sealed an incredible comeback victory for Milan, who stay in the hunt for the Champions League spots. The ability to win after going a goal down fills them with confidence ahead of the Coppa Italia final with the same opposition midweek. Bologna, meanwhile, imploded in the second half after taking the lead. Their recent form hurts their chances of securing a top-four finish. However, they can make the season a worthwhile one if they can get a positive result against AC Milan in the cup final on Wednesday.

Here are the Milan vs Bologna Player Ratings.

Milan Player Ratings vs Bologna

GK- Mike Maignan- 6.5/10

Had fairly little work to do in the first half as Bologna failed to test him at the fullest. He was diving at full stretch but failed to stop Orsolini's curling opener. Produced great saves late in the game.

CB- Fikayo Tomori- 6/10

Looked sharp in the opening exchanges but was forced to leave the field following a coming together with Orsolini.

CB- Matteo Gabbia- 6/10

Did his job in the box as he cleared crosses coming in. But he often lost his markers, leading to good chances for the visitors.

CB- Strahinja Pavolovoic- 6/10

Had a gruesome battle with Riccardo Orsolini throughout the game. He was beaten by the winger for the first goal. He was hauled off after the hour mark as his manager had him in plans for the final.

RM- Alex Jimenez- 6.5/10

Provided a potent threat whenever AC Milan attacked down the right side. However, he wasn't able to make a tangible impact as he made the wrong choices when he made his way into the box.

CM- Ruben Loftus-Cheek- 6.5/10

Flew into multiple tackles and won some fairly. But he was severely lacking in creativity as he failed to provide his side with the breakthrough. Was booked in the second half as well and needed to be replaced.

CM- Tijjani Reijndeers- 6/10

He played in a deeper role and kept on probing the opposition defence throughout the game to find an opening. Failed to find his usual rhythm as he was well marked by Bolgona.

LM- Theo Hernandez- 7/10

Had a strong outing as he joined the attack quite often. Fired decent crosses into the middle, but they weren't taken advantage of by his forwards. Defensively, he could've helped a bit better against Orsolini.

RF- Christian Pulisic- 8.5/10

Started the game slowly but grew into it well. Came to life in the second half, especially as he took central positions. Slipped in Gimenez for the equaliser, and he got on the scoresheet with a measured finish.

ST- Luka Jovic- 6/10

Started ahead of Tammy Abraham, who wasn't fully fit. Couldn't take his chance fully as he failed to present himself to his creators. When he got on the end of a few chances, he wasn't able to keep his composure.

LF- João Félix- 7/10

Had a bright start to the game as he danced past defenders, but couldn't find his finish. Kept asking questions throughout the game, and it was his blocked shot that led to the winner.

SUB- Malick Thiaw- 6/10

Came on to replace Tomori early in the game and did his job fairly well.

SUB- Kyle Walker- 6/10

SUB- Santiago Gimenez- 8/10

Scored the equaliser with ice in his veins as he rolled it through the legs of the keeper. Similarly took his second goal excellently after knocking it past his marker.

SUB- Samuel Chukwueze- 7/10

Had a key role in all three goals as he injected pace and direct running after coming on.

SUB- Yunus Musah- 7/10

Manager- Sergio Conceicao- 7/10

It looked like the manager had given up after going a goal down as his team struggled in the first half. However, his substitutes worked wonders for him as they got him this key result. This also serves as a blueprint for him to use in the cup final next.

Bologna Player Ratings vs AC Milan

GK- Lukasz Skorupski- 5/10

Failed to impose himself on the game as he was tamely beaten for all three goals in the second half. He could've easily saved two of those efforts.

RB- Lorenzo De Silvestri- 5/10

The full-back started the game with an unlikely shot but spent the game in his defensive position. Chukwueze beat him for fun after coming on. He was easily spun by Gimenez for the third goal.

CB- Sam Beukema- 6.5/10

Enjoyed a good game against Jovic till the hour mark as he won plenty of duels and made crucial challenges. However, lost his steam towards the end as he failed to track the runners.

CB- Martin Erlic- 6/10

Had a rare start but couldn't even last past the 30-minute mark as he succumbed to an injury.

LB- Charalambos Lykogiannis- 6/10

Blocked Christian Pulisic's certain goal-bound effort in the first half. Created a couple of great opportunities with crosses as well. Fell flat in the second half just like his team.

DM- Nikola Moro- 6.5/10

Helped his side control the midfield in the first half with simple passes. However, he lost his legs in the second half and was overrun by Milan's energetic substitutes.

DM- Remo Freuler- 7/10

He was a class act from the beginning to the end as he made numerous interceptions and blocks. He wasn't able to prevent his side from imploding late in the game.

CAM- Tommaso Pobega- 6/10

The ex-Milan man came with the intention of hurting them. He was aggressive in his duels and got away with yellow cards at times. Ghosted into the box but failed to make an impact on the scoreline.

RW- Riccardo Orsolini- 7/10

Bologna's best player of this season came to the party yet again as he was on the mark from the first minute. He was on the receiving end of a few chances early in the game, but he took his chance with aplomb in the second half.

ST- Thijs Dallinga- 6.5/10

Won the crucial flick on for the first goal to assist Orsolini. Apart from that, he was well marshalled by the AC Milan defence.

LW- Benjamin Dominguez- 6/10

Made a promising start to the game as he had some good moments against the opposition fullbacks. He wasn't able to build on that momentum and hurt them, though.

SUB- Jhon Lucumi- 6/10

Was rested by the manager but could only enjoy 30 minutes of it as he was forced onto the pitch because of an injury in the first half.

SUB- Michel Aebischer-6/10

SUB- Nicolo Cambiaghi- 6/10

SUB- Santiago Castro- 6/10

SUB- Oussama El Azzouzi- 6/10

Manager- Vincenzo Italiano- 5/10

Rotated his side heavily, keeping an eye on the cup final. It was understandable as they needed silverware. But his decision to relax in the game with a slender lead backfired as they imploded after Milan made their subs. Needs a big performance in the final, else his league form would be severely scrutinised.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match: Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)