AC Milan - Bologna FC | Serie A Matchday 24 | Feb, 14th 2014

Venue: San Siro
Kick off: 19:45

Recent form:
Milan: WLWWDL
Bologna: LDDDLW

Called up players: Abbiati, Amelia, Gabriel, Abate, Constant, De Sciglio, Mexes, Rami, Zaccardo, Zapata, Essien, De Jong, Honda, Kakà, Montolivo, Muntari, Poli, Saponara, Taarabt, Balotelli, Pazzini.

Notes: Urby Emanuelson skipped training today as did Daniele Bonera, both with injury problems. Robinho trained apart and Birsa also continues to follow his personalized program as he comes back from injury. SES is out for another four weeks and Kaka remains a doubt for the match.

Expected lineup:
Prediction: Milan 2-0 Bologna

Hope to see Poli feature at some point in the match

Even if Kaka is fit to start this match, with Atletico coming up midweek this is the perfect opportunity to play Honda in the centre to avoid any unnecessary risks. With Montolivo suspended it's also surely certain that he'll return to the starting line-up. I am also anxious to see Poli feature under Seedorf, however I'm unsure of what to make of his rumoured inclusion in the 4-2-3-1 on the wing. Whether Seedorf intends to alter our shape or has some other plan for Poli I will be curious to see. I would personally like to see Saponara from the beginning, however I think we're more likely to see him appearing from the bench, in which case I'll be hoping for an earlier and more proactive substitution than in our last match.

Even when we've beaten Bologna I've hated playing them, however hopefully with Diamanti's absence we can grab three points at home to give us some momentum and confidence ahead of our Champions League tie. Our back four has had little time to gel unfortunately so I'm hoping to see Abate---Rami---Mexes---De Sciglio used tonight and again against Atletico.

It has occurred to me that should Poli feature in an advanced position on the right tonight, it may well be an experiment in anticipation of Atletico. Rather than using pure wingers, Simeone's use of Arda Turan and Koke may prompt Seedorf to use Poli in a role that will encourage him to follow the attacking midfielder inside to ensure we are not overwhelmed in midfield. Whilst Poli's defensive presence is limited at this stage in his career, it is not an idea without merit given his physical dynamism and the limited squad Seedorf will have available to him in the Champions League. Whilst this may not be an ideal test of his capabilities in such a role defensively, it will allow us to see how such a choice would affect our side on the ball in offense and give important physical conditioning to Poli after he has missed so much game time recently. It's just a thought of course, in reaction to the speculation.

Abbiati; De Sciglio, Rami, Zaccardo, Constant; De Jong, Montolivo; Honda, Kaka, Taarabt; Balotelli.

Nice move from Taarabt there, poor cross by Constant.

We've been playing well so far.

Balo ffs

Lmao that Balo scuffed volley.

This game is putting me to sleep. 0-0 or 1-1 surely.

Taarabt, the Moroccan Nerman

How have we been playing? I just got home.

Bologna are sitting really deep, so we are having trouble creating chances. As a result we are resorting to long shots and crosses. Our pressing has been impressive. Balo constantly dropping deep so we have no reference point up front which is a problem. A pretty boring game so far TBH. We've been meh, no real urgency from our attackers bar Taarabt. Kaka's been bad, Honda's isolated on the wing.

Taarabt our best player this half.

Dominant on the ball, however unable to work any clear cut chances against a well organised Bologna who are sitting deep. Our best chance has been Balotelli's scuffed shot on a gaping net after the keeper couldn't control Montolivo's snap volley from the edge of the area. Taarabt has drawn quite a few fouls from Bologna however we've wasted our set piece opportunities and the delivery from out wide from both fullbacks has been imprecise.

Balotelli started to become more involved in the build-up in the last twenty minutes, dropping deep to try and pull the central defenders up and open up a bit of space in behind however we've lacked runners in behind to take advantage of such a set-up. It is likely worth our time to introduce Pazzini quite early, in my opinion for Kaka to rest him ahead of Atletico, in order to give us more options in the box. Bologna have had a couple of dangerous counters with Abbiati performing one fantastic save, however they've been very quiet as a whole and in particular have not committed their fullbacks forward which would make Balotelli's presence on the wing a possible liability. I would make this switch early in the half, however I doubt we'll see anything immediately from Seedorf.

Also the referee had his lip opened by a stray ball which is likely causing a few delays as he has that treated properly.

Thanks guys. 2nd half is carrying on the same vein too.

Sulley Xavi Muntari brought on for De Jong to help break down the defence. Just kidding, 20 long shots incoming.

Pazzini for Honda.

We're being opened up far too easily at the moment, the team looks to be tiring and with De Sciglio pushed so far up the pitch and Muntari's advanced position with respect to De Jong there is far too much space in front of the defence and Bologna are growing in stature, they've had several good chances in the last five to ten minutes.

Taarabt the only one looking likely to make something happen.

Why is Kaka still on? He's been awful. Should have kept Honda tbh.

Yeah and add in the fact that Honda won't be able to play against Atleti, Seedorf made the wrong decision.

Muntari

Xavi is tearing.

What the f*ck am I doing with my life, 90 minutes i'll look back on my deathbed and regrett how I spent them watching these fat flops plodding about pretending to play a game of football.

Montolivo really can find Pazzini from anywhere on the pitch, brilliant ball and perfectly timed run, however no one was keeping up with him and neither Balotelli nor Kaka can get away a shot from his cut back.

Poli on for Kaka which should help us at least cut out a few of these Bologna counter-attacks.

Bolognas calibre of attackers has really taken a noise dive in the past 3 seasons.

Balotelli... No words

MARIO BALOTELLI

BASLOTELLI