Italiano: ‘Both games are important’ in double Milan and Bologna battle | OneFootball

Bologna boss Vincenzo Italiano insists ‘both games are important’ against Milan, so tries not to give a preference to tonight’s Serie A clash or Wednesday’s Coppa Italia Final.

It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

Curiously, these teams meet in Serie A tonight, while they will face off again in the Coppa Italia Final on Wednesday May 14 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 24: Bologna players pose for a photo with their fans following their sides victory in the coppa Italia Semi Final match between Bologna FC and Empoli at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 24, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“Both games are important, as today is a fundamental step in the season, so we want to get points and also put in a strong performance to best prepare for Wednesday,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.

Italiano will not choose between Serie A and Coppa Italia

BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 15: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, celebrates following the team’s victory in the Serie A match between Bologna and Fiorentina at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on December 15, 2024 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Although the Rossoblu have slowed down recently with back-to-back draws against Udinese and Juventus, they remain only one point shy of Juve and Roma in joint fourth place.

They therefore have less reason to rotate than Milan, but are nonetheless changing things up ahead of their first Coppa Italia Final in 51 years.

“I make my choices based on both the starting XI and those who will come off the bench during the match,” added Italiano.

“We have players who can cause problems for Milan, but as you saw recently, we also know those who come on in the second half make a big impact.”

Dan Ndoye, Emil Holm, Estanis Pedrola and Jens Odgaard have not made the trip to San Siro, while Nikola Moro, Martin Erlic, Tommaso Pobega and Benjamin Dominguez step into the starting XI.