Italiano ‘cannot explain blackout’ as Bologna fumble lead to Milan | OneFootball

Vincenzo Italiano hit out at his Bologna substitutes after they fumbled a lead to lose 3-1 at Milan, but hopes they can learn these lessons for the Coppa Italia Final. ‘I cannot explain the 15-minute blackout.’

While Sergio Conceicao used his strongest available XI this evening, the Rossoblu rotated ahead of Wednesday’s Coppa Italia Final, which will also be against the Rossoneri at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Despite that, it was Riccardo Orsolini who opened the scoring at San Siro, only for Milan to turn it around with a brace from substitute Santiago Gimenez and Christian Pulisic to complete the 3-1 result.

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 09: Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan scores his team’s third goal as Lukasz Skorupski of Bologna fails to make a save during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“I think the key to this match was in the changes that both teams made,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.

“Usually, our substitutes come on and shake things up, but this time it was the opponents who did that. We were in control of the game, had chances to score a second goal, but there was a 15-minute blackout that I cannot explain.

“I thought Cambiaghi’s pace and Aebischer’s passing could make a difference, while Castro was already meant to play 30 minutes. It’s a pity, as those 15 minutes ruined a good overall performance. We will analyse this, because on Wednesday we need a different approach from those who came off the bench, as I liked the way we started.”

Italiano sees Bologna losing steam

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 09: Luka Jovic of AC Milan controls the ball whilst under pressure from Jhon Lucumi of Bologna during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

It means Bologna have been slowing down considerably in recent weeks, managing just two points from the last three Serie A rounds and falling behind in the race for fourth.

However, the fixture list might help them out, because this weekend there are also head-to-head battles between Lazio and Juventus, plus Atalanta and Roma.

“Disappointment is natural and a good sign, because it means we will try to do differently on Wednesday and analyse what we did wrong, which was all in those final 15 minutes plus added time.”

The Milan goals were rather similar, sparked by long balls over the top that were not dealt with properly by the Bologna defence.

“We were in control, but we got two or three situations wrong and took our foot off the gas. It was the worst 15 minutes I’d seen from my team in a long while, but otherwise we played with character and could’ve added more goals. Milan have so much quality, if you allow them to use it, they will hurt you.”

Bologna ready for Milan rematch

epa12087662 Bologna�s Riccardo Orsolini (L) celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909, in Milan, Italy, 09 May 2025. EPA-EFE/Daniel Dal Zennaro

This loss is a bad way for Bologna to prepare for the Coppa Italia Final, where they will face off with Milan again, this time on neutral turf in Rome.

It is the first time this club has participated in a Coppa Italia Final for 51 years, although Italiano was here with Fiorentina and emerged defeated.

“This match will be part of the history of this club,” added Italiano.

“We preserved a few players to keep them fit, like Ferguson, Miranda, which is also why we took Orsolini off at the 60th minute. We have four days to prepare, I saw a great Bologna for 70 minutes today, then it all went wrong.

“The Final is enormously important, we already made history by getting here, so the icing on the cake would be to win. We’ve shown character in 2025, great intensity, it is a big game for the club and the city, so we won’t get the wrong attitude there.

“We know that we are up against a great team, so must not make certain mistakes again.”