Samuel Mbangula’s San Siro Hat-Trick Could Transform His Bologna Loan
Samuel Mbangula delivered a performance few expected on Wednesday night, scoring three times on his first start for Bologna and helping the visitors secure a thrilling 4-2 Serie A victory over AC Milan at the San Siro. For the 22-year-old Belgian, it was a personal milestone. For Bologna, it was a statement win—and potentially a turning point in their season.
“My first hat-trick, but hopefully not my last,” Mbangula said after the match, describing the occasion as “one of the best evenings of my life.” His goals arrived after a long wait: before facing Milan, he had not scored since finding the net for Werder Bremen in a 2-1 Bundesliga win over VfL Wolfsburg in early November 2025.
A dream first start against AC Milan
Mbangula opened the scoring in the eighth minute, reacting quickly from close range to beat Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan. The early goal gave Bologna a lift, but Milan responded and went into half-time with a 2-1 lead, appearing to have taken control of the contest.
Bologna refused to fold. After the hour mark, Milan defender Davide Bartesaghi put the ball into his own net, bringing the visitors level and setting up a dramatic final half-hour. Mbangula then took charge. In the 62nd minute, he helped launch a slick attacking move before arriving near the penalty spot. A sharp change of movement wrong-footed his marker, and he finished decisively to put Bologna back in front.
His third goal arrived four minutes from time. A Bologna counter-attack left Mbangula one-on-one with Maignan, and the forward kept his composure to complete his hat-trick from 11 metres. The strike sealed the 4-2 result and capped an extraordinary night for a player who had previously made only three brief substitute appearances since joining Bologna.
More than goals: Bologna praise his work rate
Bologna coach Raffaele Palladino highlighted Mbangula’s contribution beyond his finishing. The Belgian had shown commitment even before scoring, the coach said, and was willing to take on defensive responsibilities late in the match, including playing as a right wing-back.
That willingness matters for a Bologna side trying to build consistency. A hat-trick can dominate the headlines, but a player’s ability to press, track back and follow tactical instructions can help earn the trust needed for regular starts. Mbangula’s all-round effort may therefore prove just as important as the three goals when Palladino considers his next team selection.
Can the performance change the story of his Werder Bremen move?
Mbangula arrived at Werder Bremen from Juventus in the summer of 2025 for a reported €10 million, a fee that made him one of the most expensive signings in the club’s history. His early displays offered encouragement, but his role diminished as the season progressed. He started less often and was left on the bench for full matches, prompting questions over whether Bremen had paid too much for a player who was still developing.
Werder were prepared to let him leave after just one season. Shortly before the transfer window closed in early September, the club arranged a loan to Bologna for the remainder of the campaign. Mbangula’s Bremen contract runs until 2030, while Bologna reportedly have an option to sign him permanently next summer for around €12.5 million.
Before his Milan breakthrough, the loan had produced little evidence that Bologna would exercise that option. One standout performance cannot settle the question by itself, but it gives the Belgian a platform. If he can follow the hat-trick with consistent contributions—whether through goals, assists or intelligent work in the build-up—Bologna may see greater value in keeping him. Werder, meanwhile, could potentially recover their investment and make a modest profit if a permanent deal is completed at the reported price.
Bologna’s recovery adds to the significance
The result also arrives at an important moment for Bologna. The team made a difficult start to the Serie A campaign, collecting only two points from its first five matches and dropping to 18th place. Since then, performances have improved: Bologna have won three of their last four games and moved away from the bottom end of the table.
Mbangula credited the group’s unity for the comeback against Milan, saying the players had stuck together and refused to give up. That resilience was visible in the match itself. Bologna fell behind before recovering twice, then took advantage of their opportunities to leave one of Italian football’s most challenging away grounds with all three points.
For supporters, the result offers more than a memorable scoreline. It suggests Bologna may be finding momentum, while giving Palladino another attacking option capable of changing a game. Mbangula’s pace, movement and confidence in front of goal could be especially useful as the club looks to turn a promising run into a sustained climb up the standings.
What comes next for Mbangula?
The obvious prediction is that Mbangula will receive a stronger opportunity after his San Siro display. However, the challenge now is to make the performance a starting point rather than an isolated high. Defenders will study his movement, and he will need to keep contributing when chances are harder to find. His limited playing time before Wednesday makes the hat-trick even more striking, but it also means he has plenty to prove over the rest of the loan.
For Werder Bremen, the result will renew interest in how the loan develops. For Bologna, it could mark the emergence of a player who has so far been on the fringes. And for Mbangula himself, the night in Milan has already become a career highlight—one he hopes to repeat. If he can build on this display, his first Bologna start may be remembered not simply as a spectacular upset, but as the moment his season truly began.
