AC Milan vs Bologna FC Lineups: Official Starting XI

There’s something about a packed San Siro on a September evening that gets the pulse going — two teams, two systems, one ball. AC Milan host Bologna in a Serie A clash that pits a new-look 3-5-2 against a compact 4-2-3-1, with both managers testing fresh tactical ideas.

Competition: Serie A 2025/2026 · Date: 14 September 2025 · Venue: San Siro, Milan · AC Milan Formation: 3-5-2 · Bologna Formation: 4-2-3-1 · Referee: Giovanni Marcenaro

The match details confirm a high-stakes encounter at San Siro.

What are the official lineups for AC Milan vs Bologna?

Confirmed starting XI

AC Milan field Mike Maignan in goal, a three-man backline of Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia, and Strahinja Pavlović. The midfield five includes Alexis Saelemaekers and Pervis Estupiñan as wing‑backs, with Youssouf Fofana, Luka Modrić, and Adrien Rabiot in central roles. Ruben Loftus‑Cheek supports striker Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan (official club site)).

Bologna counter with Łukasz Skorupski between the posts; a back four of Nadir Zortea, Jhon Lucumí, Michael Heggem, and Dimitrios Lykogiannīs. The double pivot is Lewis Ferguson and Remo Freuler, with Riccardo Orsolini, Giovanni Fabbian, and Lorenzo Cambiaghi supporting striker Santiago Castro.

Formation breakdown

Six distinct tactical choices emerge from the two lineups:

• Milan’s 3-5-2 uses wing‑backs high up the pitch to overload Bologna’s full‑backs.
• Bologna’s 4-2-3-1 uses a double pivot to protect against counter‑attacks (Football Italia (Italian football news outlet)).
• Modrić and Rabiot bring Champions League‑level experience to Milan’s midfield.
• Ferguson and Freuler provide Bologna with a combative, ball‑winning pair.
• Estupiñan’s overlap ability could force Bologna’s right side to defend deep.
• Orsolini’s cut‑inside movement from the right flank tests Milan’s left centre‑back.

The implication: Milan’s tactics are aggressive, but Bologna’s setup could neutralize them.

Which formation will AC Milan use against Bologna?

Tactical analysis of AC Milan’s 3-5-2

Five structural details define Paulo Fonseca’s approach:

• Three centre‑backs allow the wing‑backs to push high, creating a 2‑3‑5 shape in possession.
• Fofana and Modrić control tempo from deeper positions; Rabiot makes late runs into the box.
• Loftus‑Cheek operates as a second striker, linking play between midfield and Gimenez.
• Estupiñan provides width on the left; Saelemaekers drifts inside from the right.
• The system relies on aggressive pressing from the front two to force turnovers (Football Italia (Italian football news outlet)).

How Bologna’s 4-2-3-1 counters

Vincenzo Italiano’s side uses a compact double pivot (Ferguson–Freuler) to congest central spaces. The back four stays narrow, forcing Milan’s wing‑backs to deliver crosses — a format Bologna’s centre‑backs (Heggem, Lucumí) are comfortable defending. In transition, Orsolini and Cambiaghi run into the half‑spaces behind Milan’s wing‑backs.

The pattern: Bologna’s compact shape directly challenges Milan’s width advantage.

Where can I watch AC Milan vs Bologna live?

TV channels by region

• Italy: DAZN (DAZN (official Serie A broadcaster in Italy))
• United States: Paramount+ (Paramount+ (US rights holder for Serie A))
• United Kingdom: TNT Sports (TNT Sports (UK broadcaster))

Kick‑off time conversion

The match kicks off at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST / 14:45 ET / 11:45 PT) (Football Italia (Italian football news outlet)).

Who are the key players to watch in AC Milan vs Bologna?

AC Milan’s standout players

• Rafael Leão — expected to start on the bench but can change the game with pace (Football Italia (Italian football news outlet)).
• Christian Pulisic — top scorer with 4 Serie A goals this season, though his availability is uncertain after missing the previous fixture.
• Luka Modrić — controls the rhythm and set‑pieces.

Bologna’s danger men

• Joshua Zirkzee — 5 goals in the league, the focal point of the attack.
• Riccardo Orsolini — creates chances from the right flank, averaging 2.3 key passes per match.
• Remo Freuler — shields the back four and starts counters with long passes.

The catch: Bologna’s defensive discipline will be tested if Milan brings on its impact subs early.

What is the head-to-head record between AC Milan and Bologna?

Three recent results show the pattern clearly. In the last five Serie A meetings, Milan have won three, Bologna one, and one ended in a draw.

One stat, one trend: Milan have kept clean sheets in two of the last three home encounters, while Bologna have not won at San Siro since 2016 (Sports Mole (football preview outlet)).

The implication: Milan’s home advantage has been decisive, and Bologna’s 4-2-3-1 will need to break a mental barrier as much as a tactical one.

For more lineup analysis, see our preview of Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Lineups.

For Milan fans in the stands and Serie A viewers watching on DAZN, the choice is straightforward: back the 3-5-2 to dominate possession and create chances, or trust Bologna’s disciplined 4-2-3-1 to steal a point. The stat that matters most? Bologna haven’t won at San Siro since 2016. That streak will either continue or end tonight.