Modric says Milan ‘deserved’ defeat against Bologna: ‘We didn’t expect it’

Milan star Luka Modric admits the Rossoneri deserved to lose to Bologna, especially after their second-half performance: 'We didn't expect it.'

Milan suffered a 4-2 home loss to Bologna on Wednesday. It was the Rossoneri's first Serie A defeat this season.

"It was a bad defeat; we didn't expect it, especially after the first half," Modric told Sky Sport Italia via Milannews.

ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 12: Luka Modric of AC Milan in action during the warm up before the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on September 12, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

"I think we had done well in the league until now, and tonight we lost our first game. We lost so many duels in the second half. That set-piece goal was unfortunate, and from that moment we threw ourselves down. We deserved to lose.

"We have no excuses. There have been injuries, but it's a positive that the next game is right away. We had done really well until tonight, so we must stay optimistic and hope to react on Saturday," he continued.

Modric started on the bench and was introduced during the break to replace the injured Fikayo Tomori .

Milan will face city rivals Inter in their next league game on Saturday.

UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 25: Luka Modric of Milan in action during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Friuli on October 25, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

Despite their latest defeat, Modric feels the Rossoneri are heading in the right direction under Ruben Amorim.

"I think we are going the right way. The coach has arrived with new ideas, with a new style of play, and we are trying to understand his ideas and what he asks of us," the midfielder argued.

"As I said before, we had done well until tonight. You can always do more, but we still need to improve, and we hope to do it during the season."

MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 28: Samuel Mbangula of Bologna FC 1909 celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammates during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 28, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Milan are now fifth in the Serie A table with 18 points in nine matches. The Rossoneri have won five games, drawn three and lost once.

Modric, 41, is under contract with Milan until the end of the season. He has provided two assists in nine Serie A games so far this season.