AC Milan’s Unbeaten Run Ends in Bologna Collapse: Fatigue and Striker Woes Exposed

FolioPitch.com – 29 October 2026 | AC Milan‘s unbeaten start to the Serie A season came to a crashing halt on a miserable night at San Siro, as Bologna secured a stunning 4-2 victory. The defeat, which leaves the Rossoneri six points behind Inter ahead of Saturday’s derby, raised serious questions about squad depth, fatigue, and attacking efficiency. In this analysis of AC Milan 2-4 Bologna Five things we learned the fatigue factor and striker struggles, we delve into the key issues that emerged from the collapse.

The match began poorly for Milan when Samuel Mbangula put Bologna ahead early, but a quick-fire brace from Alphadjo Cisse turned the game around, giving the hosts a 2-1 lead at the break. However, the second half was a different story. An own goal from a free-kick drew Bologna level, and Mbangula struck again a minute later to retake the lead. The Belgian completed his hat-trick late on to seal the three points, extending Bologna’s impressive run under Palladino. San Siro was half-empty at full-time, reflecting the frustration and disappointment of the Milan faithful.

The most glaring issue highlighted by AC Milan 2-4 Bologna Five things we learned the fatigue factor and striker struggles is the team’s lack of depth. Milan simply do not have the squad to cope with playing every three days, especially in the high-intensity style that coach Amorim demands. The management‘s failure to strengthen sufficiently in the summer, despite knowing Europa League commitments would stretch the squad, has left the team exposed. Injuries have compounded the problem, forcing Amorim to rely on a limited pool of players, many of whom are visibly fatigued. The bench offers few viable rotation options, and the growing injury list is a direct consequence of overworking key players.

Individual errors have also been costly. Pervis Estupinan endured another poor performance at left-back, repeatedly being caught out of position and wasteful in possession. His failure to track Zortea’s run led directly to Bologna’s first goal, and his overall contribution was negligible. The decision to bench Sankhoun Diawara in favor of Estupinan backfired spectacularly. Up front, Goncalo Ramos cut a frustrated figure, looking sluggish and struggling to make an impact. His tendency to drop deep, presumably following Amorim’s instructions, often left him isolated, and when he did stay central, Milan’s creativity was lacking. Youngster Camarda, brought on as a substitute, also had a difficult evening, missing a clear header and losing the ball in the build-up to Bologna’s fourth goal.

The defense, already depleted by injuries, crumbled under pressure. Koni De Winter and Strahinja Pavlovic have played extensively without rest, and Fikayo Tomori’s half-time withdrawal due to injury further weakened the backline. Davide Bartesaghi’s poor defending and own goal, along with Yunus Musah being deployed at right-back, underscored the squad depth crisis. As AC Milan 2-4 Bologna Five things we learned the fatigue factor and striker struggles suggests, these issues are systemic and require urgent attention.

Despite the gloom, there were a few positives. Ardon Jashari delivered one of his best performances in a Milan shirt, running relentlessly and winning numerous duels. Omari Hutchinson’s pressing led to the first goal and he showed directness and technical quality. Cisse, just 20, continued his impressive form with a brace, taking his tally to seven goals in 10 games. His positioning and link-up play were commendable, and he should be a key figure in the upcoming derby.

In conclusion, this defeat serves as a wake-up call for Milan’s management. The squad is crying out for reinforcements, and January cannot come soon enough. Amorim needs backing to implement his vision, and the fans must show patience. The platform is there, but without adequate depth and fresh legs, Milan risk falling further behind. The derby against Inter now takes on added significance, and Milan must regroup quickly to avoid a downward spiral. As AC Milan 2-4 Bologna Five things we learned the fatigue factor and striker struggles clearly demonstrates, addressing these weaknesses is essential for the Rossoneri to salvage their season.