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The effervescent world of Italian football returns as Bologna and AC Milan lock horns in what promises to be a thrilling Serie A curtain-raiser at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

Last season saw Milan, after a lacklustre title defence, finish a disappointing 20 points behind the champions, Napoli. The Rossoneri’s history with Bologna, however, is one of dominance. Can they use this to their advantage, or will Bologna rewrite history?

The Backdrop:

AC Milan, despite their rich history and pride, faced a tumultuous summer. Stefano Pioli’s men faced the agony of inconsistency last season, racking up 10 draws and eight defeats in the league. The Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of arch-rivals Inter poured salt on the wounds.

Moreover, the summer departures, most notably future captain Sandro Tonali to the Premier League, the retirement of legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and club icon Paolo Maldini’s controversial exit after a string of transfer market failures, have added to Milan’s woes. Despite the gloom, the signings of Samuel Chukwueze, Yunus Musah, and Christian Pulisic have brought a renewed sense of hope.

On the other hand, Bologna, under the stewardship of Thiago Motta, has seen a resurgence. Finishing ninth last season, the Rossoblu’s defensive solidity was notable, conceding the joint-fewest home goals. This, coupled with the boost of beating Cesena 2-0 in the Coppa Italia, will give them confidence.

However, the departure of talisman striker Marko Arnautovic to Inter will undoubtedly be a significant miss for Motta’s side.

Key Players to Watch:

For Milan, the spotlight will be on new signing Christian Pulisic, who is likely to make his Serie A debut. The American, alongside Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao, will be integral to Milan’s attacking prowess.

Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee will have the burden of filling Arnautovic’s shoes. His recent goal against Cesena in the Coppa Italia suggests he might be up for the challenge. Alongside him, Stefan Posch, who had an impressive six-goal tally last season, will be another critical player.

The Prediction:

Considering the historical statistics, AC Milan seem to have an edge. They’ve lost only once in their last 27 league meetings with Bologna, and Pioli’s side have won all three Serie A season openers under his guidance. Additionally, Bologna’s record at Stadio Dall’Ara against Milan is less than flattering, failing to win even once in their last 17 encounters.

However, football isn’t played on paper. Bologna’s recent home defensive record suggests they won’t be pushovers. The loss of Arnautovic might hinder their attacking output, but their overall team performance against Cesena was promising.

Pioli, despite the high-profile signings, will be conscious of integrating them effectively. The departures of key figures might affect the team’s chemistry in the initial stages of the season.

Taking all factors into account, I predict a closely contested match with AC Milan edging it 2-1. Their historical dominance and the presence of game-changers like Pulisic might tilt the game in their favour.

Conclusion:

Monday evening promises an enthralling clash as two teams with contrasting histories and present circumstances battle it out. While AC Milan looks to bounce back from past disappointments, Bologna will be keen to carve a new chapter in their history.

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