Nkunku blows up Milan's attack as Rossoneri routinely crush Bologna

They were ready at San Siro to put €30m on the table for Jean-Philippe Mateta, along with a €3.5m-per-season contract for the Frenchman. But on deadline day, the deal collapsed - a knee issue raised the red flag and pulled the plug.

Ahead of the Serie A match against Bologna, their sporting director, Igli Tare, explained that Mateta was meant to be an investment in Milan's future, not its present (a debatable claim). After what the Rossoneri showed at the Renato Dall'Ara on Tuesday night, however, it suddenly looks like reinforcements up front may not be urgently required after all.

Milan swept Bologna aside 3-0, keeping the pressure firmly on leaders Inter. Anything less, and their city rivals would have had a clear highway to the Scudetto.

Five points is still a significant gap, but Inter face a demanding stretch before the Derby della Madonnina on March 8: a Champions League double-header against Bodo/Glimt and Juventus visiting San Siro on February 14.

If Max Allegri's side continues playing like this, they have every reason to believe. Until the derby, Milan face Pisa, Como, Parma and Cremonese. Apart from Cesc Fabregas' Como, all are fighting relegation, but there would be no problems whatsoever if Christopher Nkunku, Adrien Rabiot and Ruben Loftus-Cheek perform as they did last night at Bologna.

YOU CAN SEE NKUNKU'S GOAL HERE

The trio were decisive, dismantling a Bologna side in deep crisis - one win in their last 11 matches, a collapse that has seen them fall from Champions League contention to 10th place.

The hosts started brightly and had the initiative early on, but after a chance for Luka Modric in the 17th minute, it was all Milan. Loftus-Cheek punished the first defensive error in the 20th minute. Nkunku then won and converted a penalty, before Rabiot capitalised on another mistake just three minutes after the restart to make it 3-0.

Milan even had chances to add a fourth, but Niclas Fullkrug couldn't find his second goal in Rossoneri colours - partly due to himself, partly thanks to Ravaglia's interventions.

Aside from the opening minutes, Milan's back line had a quiet night. Bologna posed no real threat to Mike Maignan's goal.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 23

Friday

Lazio - Genoa 3-2 (0-0)

/Pedro 56 pen, Taylor 62, Cataldi 90+10 pen - Malinovskyi 67 pen, Vitinha 75/

Saturday

Pisa - Sassuolo 1-3 (0-2)

/Aebischer 51 - Berardi 25, Caracciolo 45+1 og, Kone 58/

Napoli - Fiorentina 2-1 (1-0)

/Vergara 11, Gutierez 49 - Solomon 57/

Cagliari - Verona 4-0 (2-0)

/Mazzitelli 36, Kilicsoy 45+2, Sulemana 84, Idrissi 90+1/

Sunday

Torino - Lecce 1-0 (1-0)

/Adams 29/

Como - Atalanta 0-0

Cremonese - Inter 0-2 (0-2)

/Lautaro 16, Zielinski 31/

Parma - Juventus 1-4 (0-2)

/Cambiaso 51 og - Bremer 15, 54, McKennie 37, David 64/

Monday

Udinese - Roma 1-0 (0-0)

/Ekkelenkamp 49/

Tuesday

Bologna - Milan 0-3 (0-2)

/Loftus-Cheek 20, Nkunku 39 pen, Rabiot 48/