This evening at San Siro features the early match of the third-to-last round of Serie A Enilive: Milan vs Bologna. A match that is extremely important for Italiano’s team in the race for the Champions League and one that can also give meaning to the final part of the Rossoneri’s season. Tonight’s match, however, will above all be the dress rehearsal for the Coppa Italia final that the two teams will contest in Rome, at the Stadio Olimpico, next Wednesday, May 14.

Rotation? No, thank you
Even though one might have expected, given the league table situations, a rotated Milan side to focus mainly on Wednesday’s final, this evening Sergio Conceição does not intend to leave much room for turnover, as La Gazzetta dello Sport wrote this morning. Among the regular starters, there will essentially be only two forced absences: Rafael Leao, suspended, and Youssouf Fofana, still nursing a knock to the foot suffered on Monday night at the Ferraris against Genoa. Otherwise, the Rossoneri team will stick with the 3-4-3 that has changed the face and given greater certainties to the Portuguese coach in recent matches: five games, four wins, only two goals conceded. Impressive numbers and an unexpected consistency that the Rossoneri coach wants to build on: the former Porto man is thus trying to avoid any drop in focus, keeping his team on edge even in a match like tonight’s which – on paper – might seem to matter a bit less for Milan.
Sergio Conceicao relies on the starters
As mentioned, the absences will only concern Leao and Fofana. The defense will be confirmed as a whole in front of Mike Maignan: the three on the back line are finding the right mechanisms – despite a few lapses like Vitinha’s goal – and Conceição wants to give them continuity. In recent days, Malick Thiaw was also tested in place of Matteo Gabbia, but no changes are expected: alongside him, Tomori and Pavlovic. In midfield, alongside Reijnders, there will be Loftus-Cheek, a player Conceicao likes very much. Still on the bench is Kyle Walker, whose spot seems to have been taken by the young Alex Jimenez; on the other side, Theo is confirmed. Leao’s role will be taken by his compatriot Joao Felix, who came on well against Genoa, while on the other wing there will be Pulisic. The only real doubt at this hour is the striker: Jovic and Gimenez are battling for the starting spot, with the Mexican slightly ahead.
