Mid-table team Bologna impressively drew with AC Milan on Saturday, thanks in part to a goal from Joshua Zirkzee, in a lively Serie A match where AC Milan missed two penalties.
Until Saturday, Joshua Zirkzee's impressive tally of seven Serie A goals this season had already been turning heads, with the young 22-year-old striker's name increasingly being mentioned in connection with some of the top clubs in European football.
His performance in Milan was a testament to his growing reputation. Zirkzee, known for his dynamic and threatening runs, showcased his striking prowess 29 minutes into the game. Capitalizing on a lapse by the AC Milan defense, particularly goalkeeper Mike Maignan who failed to effectively clear the ball, the Dutch striker seized the opportunity to score.
However, Zirkzee's goal did not guarantee Bologna a lead going into half-time. In a dramatic twist just before the interval, Ruben Loftus-Cheek managed to equalize for AC Milan following a well-executed attack from the right flank. This goal came shortly after a missed opportunity by Olivier Giroud to put Milan ahead. Giroud, an experienced forward, was thwarted by Bologna's goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, who impressively saved the penalty shot.
The second half of the match saw another Dutch player, Tijjani Reijnders, come into the spotlight. Reijnders almost changed the game's complexion with a powerful shot that unfortunately struck the crossbar, denying Bologna a chance to regain the lead. Bologna's lineup featured not only Zirkzee but also Sam Beukema, another Dutch national. In a critical moment about fifteen minutes before the match's conclusion, Beukema was penalized for a foul on Rafael Leão, leading to a penalty for AC Milan. Theo Hernández took the penalty, hitting the post. His attempt to follow up on the rebound was in vain as the goal was disallowed because the ball was not touched by any other player after the penalty shot.
As the match neared its end, AC Milan, bolstered by Loftus-Cheek's precise header, appeared to be on the verge of snatching a victory. However, Bologna was not ready to concede defeat. In a dramatic turn of events during injury time, Riccardo Orsolini stepped up to take a penalty awarded to Bologna. The penalty was given for a shirt-pulling offense by Filippo Terracciano against Victor Kristiansen. Orsolini made no mistake, converting the penalty and securing a draw for Bologna.
This result was particularly significant as it meant AC Milan missed a golden opportunity to capitalize on Juventus's earlier mishap against Empoli. The draw left Milan ruing their missed chances, particularly the two failed penalties, and pondering what might have been in a match that had all the elements of a classic Serie A showdown.
