Mbangula opened the scoring in the eighth minute, but Milan responded through a first-half brace from Cisse to lead 2-1 at the break. Bologna turned the match around after half-time, with Davide Bartesaghi’s own goal followed by Mbangula’s second and third strikes to secure the visitors’ victory.
Bologna head coach Raffaele Palladino praised his players’ response after a difficult first half and said the result reflected the work they had put in since he took charge.
“I liked the phrase you used, ‘this is a tough team’, because these lads are tough. From the first day I arrived, they listened to me and showed that they wanted to follow me. We have changed everything, completely turned everything around: the system, the principles and the methodology. It wasn’t easy to change everything in a month and a half.
“The credit belongs to these lads, because they are willing to work, want to improve and believe they can return to being the team we have followed over the years and achieve these satisfactions.”
Palladino admitted that Milan had made life difficult for his side, particularly before the interval, but he was delighted with the way Bologna reacted after falling behind.
“Coming here to Milan was not easy. Winning at San Siro against a strong team is not easy. It was a good match. In the first half we could certainly have done better technically, and Milan pressed us hard, which caused us some problems.
“We went behind 2-1, then the lads were tough and turned it around. Once again, the substitutes made the difference. Mbangula, who hadn’t played for a long time, scored, and Miranda, Heggem and Vitík also came on and made an impact. They gave the team positive energy. We have to continue like this, because this is the right path.”
The impact of the substitutes was decisive. Juan Miranda’s delivery led to Bartesaghi’s own goal in the 60th minute, before the Spaniard set up Mbangula to put Bologna ahead again just a minute later. Mbangula completed his hat-trick in the 86th minute, finishing a move created by Jens Odgaard.
Palladino was keen to share the credit with his staff rather than claim responsibility for the tactical changes.
“I never take the credit for myself. I want to congratulate my staff, because they prepared the match really well. They gave me the right input. I am not on my own. I make decisions during the game, but I work with a great staff who make themselves available and try to help the team.
“And then there is the team. I assure you that when I give instructions, they listen and follow everything perfectly, to the letter. They deserve the credit and they have earned a great satisfaction.”
Milan head coach Rúben Amorim, meanwhile, felt his side lacked energy and clarity throughout the match, even when they were in front.
“From the first minute, I felt a lack of energy and clarity in the way we managed the ball. Even when we were leading, I had the feeling that the team wasn’t the same. I felt we were a little tired. By tired, I mean that we weren’t thinking in the same way or playing in the same way.
“I felt it from the beginning. In the second half we conceded two goals very quickly, so we didn’t even have time to adapt to the equaliser. Within two minutes we went from winning to losing the match. We had a big opportunity with Camarda to change the momentum and equalise, but I never felt the team was comfortable, even in the first half.”
Amorim said he would assess the availability of his squad before deciding whether to risk returning players, but refused to use absences as an excuse.
“I see my players giving everything they have. We simply have to adapt.”
The defeat was AC Milan’s first in the league this season, while Bologna left San Siro with three points and renewed confidence in Palladino’s rebuilding work.