Preview: Injuries and Balotelli's suspension would cause more frustration for Milan
Going into their home match against Napoli, the AC Milan players were fairly confident that they could overcome the odds. Now that the dust has settled from that match, Allegri's side may have had chances, but they were unable to capitalize, leaving them with a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Rafa Benitez's squad.
Adding to their defeat is the suspension of Mario Balotelli, who was shown a red card after the final whistle.
The Italian international not only will be missing in action for three matches, but he also missed his first penalty kick against Napoli. With Milan's already long list of absent players due to injury, Super Mario's suspension will have frustrated the Rossoneri manager.
Ignazio Abate believes that his fellow countryman and teammate needs to learn to control himself in certain situations.
"Mario must learn to control himself," Abate told Gazzetta dello Sport. "He is an important player for us and to lose him for several games is a problem. He just needs to learn self-control."
Defeating Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara will not be easy, considering nothing has really come easy for Milan this season. With four points from four matches, more dropped points on Wednesday could potentially cause problems for Allegri.
Missing seven players for their trip to Bologna, Allegri is going to have to get the best out of his players, if he wants to come away with the full three points.
Matri is likely going to be the main focus in the Rossoneri front three, with Robino and Valter Birsa on either side. Behind them, Muntari and De Jong can offer some fighting spirit, but the big problem will be the defensive four.
Without a cleansheet in their four league matches, Allegri's side is desperate to sort out their defensive frailties.
"To have conceded seven goals in four matches is not good," Allegri told reporters. "Our backline has to improve. Against Napoli we conceded two goals that could easily have been avoided."
Maybe a match against Bologna could help sort some of those issues out, considering they have only managed four goals from their four matches. And from those four goals, they were all scored by different players.
Wanting to win their first match in the new campaign, the hosts will be hoping that Bianchi can get his first goal this season.
"I apologize to the fans and to my teammates for not making the most of my chances," Bianchi said in an interview. "I'm going through a difficult time but I'm sure that by working hard I will overcome this."
Where to watch the match - live stream, start time, TV Channels, live scores
Watch Bologna vs AC Milan live on Wednesday, September 25, 2013:
In the USA at 14:45 ET on: beIN Sport Play
Follow all the action on Al Jazeera Sport +2 if you are in Africa. Fans in Italy can watch this match live on Sky Calcio 2. If you are outside these viewing areas, check out the Bologna vs AC Milan match page for full TV listings in your country.
