As Milan prepares to face Bologna in Serie A, fans were quick to notice a major change in the team sheet: Rafael Leao will not feature. The Portuguese forward, one of Milan’s most electric players, is absent from a fixture with considerable weight.
As Milan prepares to face Bologna in Serie A, fans were quick to notice a major change in the team sheet: Rafael Leao will not feature. The Portuguese forward, one of Milan’s most electric players, is absent from a fixture with considerable weight. With Christian Pulisic set to start up front, and Bologna eyeing a return to the top four, the stakes are high.
Milan comes into the game buoyed by another gritty comeback. In their most recent outing, the Rossoneri overturned a deficit to beat Genoa 2-1. It was a match marked by resilience, and—ironically—a decisive contribution from Leao, who came off the bench, scored the equalizer, and helped inspire the turnaround.
Despite that impact, the Portuguese star will be watching from the stands at San Siro on Friday night, as manager Sergio Conceicao prepares for a challenging double-header against Bologna. The two sides are set to meet again next week in the Coppa Italia final, but first comes a league showdown with European implications.
Bologna, fresh off a 1-1 draw with Juventus and a recent 1-0 win over Inter, has proven they can punch above their weight. Milan, under Conceicao, knows that anything less than full focus could prove costly. Which begs the question: Why is their most dynamic attacker missing?
Why is Leao not in the squad to face Bologna?
The answer lies in the closing stages of the Genoa match. With just eight minutes of regulation time remaining, Leao received a yellow card—his fifth booking in Serie A this season. That triggered an automatic one-match suspension, ruling him out of the league clash against Bologna.
It’s a frustrating twist for the San Siro giant, especially given how pivotal the 25-year-old has been in tight matches. However, there’s a silver lining. With the Coppa Italia final against the same opponent looming, Leao’s enforced rest now becomes strategic—he will be fresh and fully available for the final in Rome on May 14.
“Rafa is not there. The other stars on the pitch,” wrote Corriere dello Sport, highlighting the blend of necessity and intention in Conceicao’s decision-making. Despite Leao’s absence, Milan will still field a strong lineup, including Maignan, Theo Hernandez, Reijnders, and Pulisic.
Joao Felix gets his chance, but Gimenez benched
Leao’s suspension opens the door for Joao Felix, who starts on the left side of Milan’s front three. The Portuguese attacker, who has struggled for consistent minutes, now has a chance to prove his worth on a significant stage.
Felix will line up alongside Pulisic and Luka Jovic, forming a restructured but talented attacking trio. In midfield, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is expected to return to his more natural central role, particularly after Youssouf Fofana’s injury forced adjustments in the win over Genoa.
