AC Milan Beats Bologna 3-1 Keeps Champions League Hopes Alive

AC Milan continued their late-season resurgence in Serie A by rallying from a 1-0 deficit to beat Bologna 3-1, keeping alive their hopes of qualifying for European competition next season. Santiago Gimenez scored twice, with Christian Pulisic contributing a vital goal, as Milan secured their fourth win in five matches, moving up to eighth place and within striking distance of the Champions League and Europa League qualification spots. The victory served as a key warm-up for the upcoming Coppa Italia final between Milan and Bologna, where the winner will gain automatic entry to the 2025-26 Europa League group stage. Milan's head coach Sergio Conceicao highlighted the importance of improving from first-half struggles and expressed confidence in the squad's adaptability, while Gimenez’s strong performance may influence lineup decisions for the final. The match saw tactical adjustments like a shift to a 3-4-3 formation and Pulisic playing alongside Joao Felix as attacking midfielders, partly due to Rafael Leao's suspension. Both teams remain in contention for European places, adding intensity to their upcoming cup final clash.