AC Milan's Serie A Loss to Bologna Puts UEFA Champions League Spots in Jeopardy

AC Milan's chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League took another blow on Thursday as they suffered a 2-1 loss to Bologna, leaving them eight points behind Serie A's top four. The match, originally scheduled for October but postponed due to severe weather conditions, saw an entertaining contest at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara. Despite their efforts, Sergio Conceicao's team sits in eighth place, far behind fourth-placed Juventus. The rescheduled match was played in the backdrop of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy, which had been severely affected by flooding from a massive autumn downpour.

Dan Ndoye prodded home the decisive goal in the 82nd minute for Bologna who moved above Milan into sixth on 44 points, five behind Juve, after winning their long-awaited game in hand.

"We still believe (in qualification), there are a lot of games left to play, teams can drop points and we just have to do our job which is to win matches," said Milan goalscorer Rafael Leao.

Switzerland attacker Ndoye, who netted moments after Nicolo Casale thumped a header off the post, completed the comeback for Bologna after Leao had put Milan ahead just before half-time.

Milan were sluggish after the break and Santiago Castro had Bologna level in the 48th minute when he forced home a Giovanni Fabbian knockdown which Milan insisted was preceded by a handball.

The away side never recovered and were caught napping at a throw-in for Ndoye's winner, which came after Nicolo Cambiaghi span Alex Jimenez and whipped in a perfect low cross.

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Seven-time European champions Milan host Lazio on Sunday night which might be their last chance to stay in the fight for a place in the continent's elite club competition.

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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)