Before the international break, Milan registered their first league win of Massimiliano Allegri’s second reign as manager, defeating Lecce 2-0, and they will have been eager to build on that in front of their own supporters.
They were full of endeavour in the early stages against Bologna, who themselves ended August with a win over Como, with Santiago Giménez forcing a save out from Lukasz Skorupski.
At the other end, the visitors thought they had broken the deadlock through Nicolo Cambiaghi, but he was in an offside position when hammering home from close range and the strike was therefore ruled out.
Riccardo Orsolini then called Mike Maignan into action, while Pervis Estupinan struck the post after cutting inside onto his weaker right.
However, just as the game appeared to be moving through the gears, both sides took their foot off the gas, reducing the remainder of the first half into something of a damp squib.
After the restart, Milan exerted more control on the encounter and looked the more likely to break the deadlock.
They finally did so around the hour mark through veteran Luka Modric. Despite turning 40 this week, the former Ballon d’Or winner continues to age like a fine wine, as he both started and finished a Rossoneri move to net his first goal for the club since his move from Real Madrid in the summer.
As they looked to put the game to bed, substitute Samuele Ricci fired a drive from distance narrowly wide of the post shortly after.
Even after going behind, Bologna rarely threatened Pietro Terracciano, who was a second-half substitute after Maignan was forced off with an injury.
In fact, Milan really should have doubled their advantage when Gimenez found himself one-on-one with Skorupski, ultimately hitting the post when attempting to go around the Poland international.
In the end, though, Allegri’s men did not need another goal to ensure they left triumphant, with the result meaning the head coach - who was shown a late red for protesting a VAR decision - has overseen two Milan wins in the opening three matchdays of a SA season for the first time in five overall campaigns.
Bologna, meanwhile, have now lost five of their past six league matches and have scored just once so far this term - Vincenzo Italiano will be desperate to see his side improve in the coming weeks.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Luka Modric (AC Milan)
