AC Milan will host Sassuolo at San Siro on Sunday afternoon, aiming to strengthen their position in Serie A. Currently unbeaten in the league since August, Milan faces a challenge against a team that has historically been difficult for them.
Match Preview: AC Milan vs Sassuolo
AC Milan, under the guidance of coach Massimiliano Allegri, is well into their Serie A campaign, having accumulated more than 30 points after 14 matches. This marks their best start since the 2021-22 season, when they secured the Serie A title.
Recently, Milan showcased their resilience by overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat Torino 3-2. This victory extended their unbeaten streak in Serie A to 13 matches. However, they must remain cautious as they prepare to face Sassuolo, a team they have struggled against in recent years.
Sassuolo’s Recent Performance
- Sassuolo is currently near the top of the league, sitting in eighth place with 20 points.
- They recently defeated Fiorentina 3-1, showing strong form amid a mixed performance in their last few games.
- This season, Sassuolo has won three, lost two, and drawn once in their last six matches.
Despite Sassuolo’s inconsistency, they have been a thorn in Milan’s side. In their last five encounters at San Siro, Milan has managed only one victory, with three losses. Notably, they drew 3-3 in their previous league meeting, while Sassuolo won 5-2 in January 2023.
Team News and Lineups
AC Milan will be missing key player Rafael Leao due to a minor muscular injury. This necessitates a change in the forward lineup, especially with top scorer Christian Pulisic returning from illness. Pulisic, who averages a goal every 64 minutes this season, is expected to lead the attack alongside Christopher Nkunku.
Sassuolo faces its own injury woes, with talisman Domenico Berardi out until 2026. The absence of other players, including Aster Vranckx and Daniel Boloca, adds to their challenges. However, Armand Lauriente, who scored in a previous matchup against Milan, will be a crucial player alongside Andrea Pinamonti and Cristian Volpato.
Potential Starting Lineups
| AC Milan | Sassuolo |
|---|---|
| Maignan | Muric |
| Tomori | Walukiewicz |
| Gabbia | Izdes |
| Pavlovic | Muharemovic |
| Saelemaekers | Doig |
| Loftus-Cheek | Thorstvedt |
| Modric | Matic |
| Rabiot | Kone |
| Bartesaghi | Volpato |
| Pulisic | Pinamonti |
| Nkunku | Lauriente |
Match Prediction
With Milan’s recent form against smaller clubs, they will need to stay sharp to avoid mistakes. However, given their current unbeaten streak and home advantage, Milan is expected to secure a narrow victory against Sassuolo.
Final prediction: AC Milan 2 – 1 Sassuolo.
