BOLOGNA, Italy-- AC Milan's Serie A top-four hopes were dealt a significant blow when they lost 2-1 at Bologna on Thursday after the hosts fought back from a goal down.
Milan are eighth in the standings with 41 points, eight behind Juventus in fourth with 12 rounds remaining. Bologna are sixth on 44.
It was the first time in nearly 23 years that Bologna had won a home match against Milan in Serie A. The match was originally scheduled for October but was called off due to flooding.
Two minutes before halftime, Rafael Leao pounced on a flick-on, breezed past his marker and rounded Bologna keeper Lukasz Skorupski to put Milan ahead.
Bologna equalised three minutes after the restart when a free kick into the box was headed down to Santiago Castro who finished from close range.
Milan protested, claiming the ball had ricocheted off Bologna's Giovanni Fabbian's arm before reaching Castro, but VAR allowed the goal to stand.
Yunus Musah nearly put Milan ahead again just after the hour mark, but Skorupski made a crucial save.
Bologna gradually took control of the match as Milan's defence appeared to lose focus, Nicolo Casale heading against the post from a corner before Nicolo Cambiaghi sent the rebound over the bar.
The turnaround was complete nine minutes from time when Nicolo Cambiaghi reached the byline and sent in a cross that Dan Ndoye, at full stretch, tapped into the net.
SAKHIR, Bahrain-- Title favourite Lando Norris was fastest for Formula One champions McLaren after a power cut disrupted the first day of pre-season testing in Bahrain on Wednesday.
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan-- New Zealand powered into the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy, taking India along with them after Rachin Ravindra's century and inspired bowling from Michael Bracewell ensured a five-wicket win over Group A opponents Bangladesh on Monday.
LONDON-- Ismaila Sarr scored twice on his 27th birthday to help Crystal Palace to a deserved 4-1 Premier League victory over Aston Villa at Selhurst Park on Tuesday, putting a dent in the visitors' hopes of Champions League football next season.
MANCHESTER, England- - Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah continued to make the case that this is his greatest season ever as he broke records in their 2-0 Premier League win at Manchester City on Sunday and the talisman said the campaign was his personal favourite.
Salah scored Liverpool's first goal -- his 25th in the league this term -- and set up the second by Dominik Szoboszlai as they moved 11 points clear at the top, putting his name alongside a couple of more records in the process.
Among them Salah has become the first player in Premier League history to be involved in 40-plus goals in two different seasons, with 25 goals and 15 assists in this campaign after 32 goals and 10 assists in 2017-18.
"I don't know," Salah said, when asked if he was playing at his best ever level. "It is opinion. Maybe people prefer my first seasons or now but I prefer now because (closing on) winning the league, helping the young players, it is special.
"We need another title. Me and the big guys in the team, we need another title."
Salah only has four months left on his Liverpool contract, with no hint of an extension so far forthcoming from the club, but any potential distraction has not shown on the field.
His 241 goals in all competitions since joining Liverpool in 2017 have made him joint-third on the Anfield side's all-time list with Gordon Hodgson (1926-35). Ian Rush tops the club's scoring chart with 346 ahead of second-placed Roger Hunt (285).
He has now scored and assisted in 11 league matches this season, the most by a player in one campaign in Europe's big five leagues since Lionel Messi's 11 for Barcelona in 2014-15.
The 32-year-old's 16 away league goals is a joint-record in the competition's history with Kevin Phillips (1999-2000) and Harry Kane (2022-23).
Egypt forward Salah is a huge thorn in City boss Pep Guardiola's side.
He is the first player in Premier League history to score and assist in both games against the reigning champions in a season. His nine goals and six assists against Guardiola's teams are the most in the Spaniard's top-flight managerial career.
Salah's season is drawing praise from teammates and fans.
"The numbers speak for themselves," Liverpool boss Arne Slot said. "At the moment not many things seem difficult for Mo."
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, now a pundit, said on the Sky Sports broadcast that Salah was in a "golden moment in his career where everything just feels easy for him. Today that was another beautiful performance."
Liverpool defender Andy Robertson cracked a joke when asked about his teammate.
"I can't be bothered talking about (Salah) to be honest," the Scot said with a laugh. "No, he's been unbelievable. Another goal and assist.
"His work rate going back the other way was unbelievable today. He is in a different world right now and playing out of his skin. We are very happy to have him, that's for sure."
