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AC Milan‘s Serie A top-four hopes were dealt a significant blow when they lost 2-1 at Bologna on Thursday after the hosts fought back from a goal down.
Milan are eighth in the standings with 41 points, eight behind Juventus in fourth with 12 rounds remaining. Bologna are sixth on 44. The top four teams qualify for next season’s Champions League.
It was the first time in nearly 23 years that Bologna had won a home match against Milan in Serie A. The match was originally scheduled for October but was called off due to flooding.
Milan’s season is on the brink of unravelling after their Champions League exit and two consecutive Serie A losses,
“It’s all in our hands. If and when the club feels I’m no longer the right person for Milan, I will step aside, but until that moment, I will continue working with the same passion as always,” Milan manager Sergio Conceicao told reporters.
“I feel very frustrated because the results are not coming. But I think it’s normal for a coach who works with passion.
“It seems like there is a cloud over Milan that we need to get out of with results, because those are what make the difference.”
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Two minutes before half-time, Rafael Leão pounced on a flick-on, breezed past his marker and rounded Bologna keeper Lukasz Skorupski to put Milan ahead.
Bologna equalised three minutes after the restart when a free kick into the box was headed down to Santiago Castro who finished from close range.
Milan protested, claiming the ball had ricocheted off Bologna’s Giovanni Fabbian‘s arm before reaching Castro, but VAR allowed the goal to stand.
Yunus Musah nearly put Milan ahead again just after the hour mark, but Skorupski made a crucial save.
Bologna gradually took control of the match as Milan’s defence appeared to lose focus, Nicolo Casale heading against the post from a corner before Nicolò Cambiaghi sent the rebound over the bar.
The turnaround was complete nine minutes from time when Nicolo Cambiaghi reached the byline and sent in a cross that Dan Ndoye, at full stretch, tapped into the net.
Information from Reuters contributed to this report.