Milan appeared to be on course for a comfortable victory after Rafael Leao fired home 16 minutes in before Bologna were dealt a further blow when Adama Soumaoro was sent off for bringing Rade Krunic down when he was through on goal four minutes later.

Captain Davide Calabria hammered Milan into a 2-0 lead in the 35th minute to put them in control before Ibrahimovic, starting his first league game of the season, put through his own net to give the hosts hope four minutes after the break.

Musa Barrow's fine finish three minutes later stunned the visitors to pull the 10-men level, only for Roberto Soriano's red card before the hour mark for a reckless tackle leaving Bologna with an even more difficult task.

They dug in and were set to earn a hard-earned point but goals from Ismael Bennacer six minutes from time and a fine 90th-minute finish from 40-year-old Ibrahimovic got Milan home.

Milan's fifth league win in a row moved them back to the top with 25 points from nine games, a point above Napoli who visit fourth-placed Roma on Sunday, while Bologna stayed ninth.

Stefano Colantuono had a nightmare start as Salernitana coach with his side losing 4-2 at home to Empoli.

Colantuono replaced Fabrizio Castori last week after just one win in eight rounds but Salernitana were 3-0 down inside 15 minutes after goals from Andrea Pinamonti, Patrick Cutrone and an own-goal from defender Stefan Strandberg.

Strandberg's match got even worse on the stroke of halftime as the Norwegian fouled Pinamonti, who converted the resulting penalty with a cheeky chip.

The hosts managed to improve after the break and got two goals back early on through Luca Ranieri and an own-goal from Empoli defender Ardian Ismajli.

Salernitana remained bottom, three points from safety.

Venezia are only two points off the relegation zone after losing 3-1 at Sassuolo, who moved three points above their opponents.

with AP

Australian Associated Press