AC Milan endured a shocking 4-2 loss to Bologna after letting their lead slip, as Samuel Mbangula netted a hat-trick to hand Ruben Amorim his first Serie A defeat. Even though Alphadjo Cisse scored twice to put the Rossoneri ahead, defensive blunders proved expensive as Bologna scored three times in the second half to pull off an impressive comeback.

The outcome arrived at a tough moment for Milan, who were already coping with an extensive injury list before Saturday’s Derby della Madonnina. Bologna, in contrast, maintained their solid away performances and fully exploited their opponents’ defensive vulnerabilities.

Milan’s injury woes and Bologna’s early threat

Milan’s unavailable players increased with Ruben Loftus-Cheek joining Adrien Rabiot, Diego Moreira, Samuel Chukwueze, Mario Gila, Matteo Gabbia, Alexis Saelemaekers, and Pietro Terracciano on the sidelines. With the derby looming, Cisse and Yunus Musah started instead of Christian Pulisic and Luka Modric, who were given a chance to rest.

Bologna came into the match after winning their last two away games against Lecce and Cagliari, though they were also missing several players, including Riccardo Orsolini, Roberto Piccoli, Emil Holm, Jay Enem, and Lorenzo De Silvestri.

The visitors created the first clear chance when Nadir Zortea whipped a dangerous ball across the goalmouth from the right, just missing Jens Odgaard as he slid in towards the six-yard box. Milan did not heed the warning, and Bologna soon broke the deadlock.

Musah lost the ball in midfield, allowing Zortea to reach the right byline and pull it back for Mbangula. The former Juventus player was left unmarked and swept home from nine yards to put Bologna in front.

Cisse’s double turns the tide

Milan responded after a costly defensive error from Arthur Theate. The Bologna defender was caught out while trying to play out from the back, allowing Cisse to pounce on the opportunity and finish from close range to level the score.

The Rossoneri continued to struggle on their left side, with Federico Bernardeschi finding space to deliver another dangerous cutback. However, Milan soon turned the game around through another close-range finish from Cisse.

Hutchinson was blocked after a powerful solo run, and Fikayo Tomori played the loose ball across the penalty area from the right. Cisse was perfectly placed to meet the delivery, producing an acrobatic volley to give Milan a 2-1 lead.

Tomori picked up an injury shortly before half-time and was replaced by Modric during the interval. Musah consequently shifted to right-back as Milan reorganized their defence.

Bologna had a chance to equalize when Bernardeschi won possession in midfield and crossed for Odgaard, but the forward could not keep his sliding effort down from close range.

Bologna’s comeback reveals Milan’s defensive issues

Milan’s lead vanished in a disastrous spell after the break. Davide Bartesaghi accidentally turned Juan Miranda’s free kick into his own net at the far post, bringing Bologna level.

The visitors needed little time to take control. Miranda again caused problems down the left, delivering a cutback that Mbangula controlled superbly before escaping two defenders and finishing from close range. His second goal of the match put Bologna ahead and left Milan facing an uphill battle.

Bologna continued to threaten as Milan struggled to build from the back. Niccolò Cambiaghi fired narrowly wide after another breakdown in possession, while Martin Vitik dispossessed Goncalo Ramos during the visitors’ attacking pressure.

Milan came close to equalizing when Francesco Camarda met a cross with a glancing header, but the ball passed just wide of the far post. The missed opportunity proved costly as Bologna extended their advantage.

Mbangula completes hat-trick as Bologna seals win

Bologna delivered the decisive blow when Camarda was crowded out in midfield, allowing Odgaard to break down the right and send the ball across for Mbangula. The forward stayed behind the line of the ball before finishing, completing his hat-trick and making it 4-2.

The goal capped a remarkable performance from Mbangula, whose three strikes helped Bologna punish Milan’s defensive mistakes and turn a losing position into a convincing victory.

Milan still had a chance to reduce the deficit when Pulisic launched himself at a header, but goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski reacted brilliantly to tip the effort out from beneath the crossbar.

Bologna held on for a memorable win, while Amorim was left to reflect on his first Serie A defeat and Milan’s defensive problems just days before their derby against Inter.