AC Milan will come into the clash against Sassuolo under intense pressure to stay relevant in their faltering title challenge.
Last weekend was another day where the AC Milan away fans returned without much joy. The victorious trip to Newcastle aside, the Rossoneri have not won an away game in Serie A since October 8, when they beat Genoa and were frustrated by an upbeat Salernitana side managed by former striker Filippo Inzaghi. Up next for AC Milan are Sassuolo on Saturday.
As for last weekend’s game, after taking the lead through Fikayo Tomori, Milan were pegged back twice by Salernitana through Federico Fazio and Antonio Candreva, as they seemed destined to take three points. Substitute Luka Jovic had to rescue a point deep in the game, as Pioli’s problems increased in the context of the title race.
The result put Milan some eleven points behind arch-rivals Inter Milan in the title race, and another bad result could lead them to forget about their Scudetto ambitions. Realistically, the Rossoneri should be focusing on a top-four challenge and look to win a trophy through one of the cup competitions they are still part of.
Sassuolo have an excellent recent track record when visiting San Siro, having upset Milan in each of their last three trips here. Alessio Dionisi’s side have already experienced good fortunes at this venue this season, as they are the only side to inflict a defeat on leaders Inter Milan.
Keeping up this record and improving it will appear imperative for Dionisi as Sassuolo teeter around the relegation zone. Only three points separate them as they continue to desperately salvage points from wherever they can find them.
In the last matchday, they took the lead against fellow strugglers Genoa and ultimately lost the game after letting the opposition exploit their backline. Dionisi will hope for some renewed vigour from his side to show character and poise so as to move as far away from the relegation zone as possible.
Team News & Tactics
AC Milan
Stefano Pioli has not found the right rhythm going into the season following the raft of injury problems suffered by his key players. The draw against Salernitana might have come at a significant cost for the Rossoneri boss, as he lost Fikayo Tomori to an injury.
The English defender has joined Pierre Kalulu, Malick Thiaw, Mattia Caldara, Tommaso Pobega and Noah Okafor on the sidelines. Meanwhile, there are concerns over striker Jovic, who has trained separately after a knock against Salernitana, and Yunus Musah also features in that category.
There is some injury respite as fringe stars Marco Pellegrino and Marco Sportiello returned to training. With Simon Kjaer available, the experienced Dane might partner up with young defender Jan-Carlo Simic. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ismael Bennacer and Tijani Reijnders should form the midfield triumvirate.
Pioli will once again rely on Olivier Giroud leading the line, and the Frenchman will come under more pressure with Jovic’s potential absence. He will have Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao on either side of the front three.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria, Kjaer, Simic, Hernandez; Loftus-Cheek, Bennacer, Reijnders; Pulisic, Giroud, Leao
Sassuolo
Alessio Dionisi’s side are also missing key personnel ahead of this crucial clash against Milan. Uros Racic, Daniel Boloca, Gregoire Defrel, Matias Vina and Mattia Viti are all out of contention for this trip to San Siro.
Sassuolo will also have Domenico Berardi back in contention after missing the last game due to illness. He will feature in the front three and has a good record against Milan, scoring 11 times and assisting a further seven goals during his career against the Rossoneri.
Jeremy Toljan will keep his place at right back, while Matias Vina’s injury could lead to Marcus Pedersen starting at left-back. Skipper Gian Marco Ferrari and Martin Erlic will marshall the central defence, while Matheus Henrique and Kristian Thorstvedt will partner up in central midfield.
Up front, all eyes will be on Berardi as Sassuolo’s main attacker. Nedim Bajrami will play the attacking midfield role, with Armand Lauriente from the left and Andrea Pinamonti as the central striker to lead the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Consigli; Toljan, Erlic, Ferrari, Pedersen; Henrique, Thorstvedt; Berardi, Bajrami, Lauriente; Pinamonti
Key Stats
- Over 2.5 goals have been scored in AC Milan’s last four games in Serie A.
- AC Milan have three victories from their last six Serie A games.
- Sassuolo beat AC Milan in their last three visits to San Siro.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Sassuolo’s last seven games in Serie A.
- Sassuolo have conceded at least two goals in their last seven matches in Serie A.
Player to Watch
Olivier Giroud
There is increased emphasis on the veteran striker in this particular period of trouble for AC Milan. While they might be a bit far off their rivals Inter on the table, there is always an opening in this league. But for that, the team needs to be ready.
Hence, while Giroud may have continued playing long minutes for the team, Pioli will want his striker to bring his experience to the table and keep churning out goals for Milan. He has a good enough record against Sassuolo, something the Frenchman will hope continues beyond the weekend.
Prediction
AC Milan 3-1 Sassuolo
AC Milan are inconsistent this season, but much of their problems are attributed to their lengthy injury list. Yet, there have been adverse periods when Stefano Pioli’s men have churned out results, especially under pressure. The Rossoneri find themselves in a place where results are more important to keep them active in the title race.
While Sassuolo may have had the joy of good results at San Siro of late, they are struggling and might get found out. While predictions can often go horribly wrong, this game has the hallmark of a Milan win, although they might still struggle to keep a clean sheet.
