AC Milan and Bologna will face each other for the 191st time at the Stadio Renato dall'Ara tonight, with three massive points on the line. Milan have the edge historically over Bologna, winning 89 of the clashes, with 54 defeats and 47 draws. However, last season the Rossoblu won their home league game and also the Coppa Italia final in the capital, the most painful note in a dreadful campaign for the Rossoneri.
Getting December underway with a 2-1 loss against Cursor Ashton, Alfreton have also shown some extended defensive issues. With their recent rut underlined by a frantic 6-2 drumming against Merthyr Town on November 22nd, Tuesday's hosts have registered just two clean sheets from any of their previous 13 showdowns across all fronts - a run that stems all the way back to September 20th.
The mood was really negative. It's not just that they changed the coach. We also had this election at the very beginning, so everybody was nervous about that. With the election, it can also influence the staff and players, so, for me, it was a completely new experience. The election day was also a game for us, so it was pretty hard to be honest. But now everything has settled down, we have a good team, and we have found our rhythm.
After 10 games, the team who finished bottom of the top flight last term have picked up 24 points from 30 and are six points clear of Partick Thistle in second, albeit the Glasgow side have a game in hand. They're yet to lose a league game this season and, while Valakari won't want to get carried away, fans can take confidence knowing they're in a better position now than last year's winners Falkirk were at this point in the season.
"I'm certain it'll be a day he'll never forget," Popovic said of Balard. "[There were] a lot of young boys out there today who got their opportunity. It was nice to get the winner in that way. We got the win and a lot of boys got an experience of a lifetime. The first half, we found a little bit difficult, but we got there."
