CUP THRILLER AT SAN SIRO
Coppa Italia
We couldn't have imagined a better start to our 2024/25 Coppa Italia campaign. AC Milan beat Sassuolo by six goals to one and cruised into the quarter-finals, where they will meet the winner of Roma v Sampdoria in February 2025. The result was never really in doubt, as the Rossoneri found themselves four goals to the good at half-time and had plenty of stand-out performers over the 90. Let's start with Samuel Chukwueze, who scored his first brace for the Club. Then, we have the other goalscorers on the night: Reijnders and Leão in the first half, and Calabria and Abraham in the second.
It was also a night to remember for Torriani and Bartesaghi; both youngsters got minutes in the second half in their second appearances in the First Team this season. The Rossoneri were excellent to a man, and the attack provided a constant threat: this is the first time we have won three consecutive games with at least three open-play goals scored since 2021/22. There were plenty of good signs for Paulo Fonseca, giving the team confidence ahead of a very busy festive period. Up next, we have the big game away at Atalanta on Friday night. Forza Milan!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v SASSUOLO
MATCH REPORT
AC Milan were into it straight away and had two chances in the first 10 minutes with Loftus-Cheek, who, however, had no luck. The opener came in the 12th minute: a great run behind the backline from Reijnders who served Chukwueze, first the post and then the finish on the rebound. The Rossoneri goal set off a period of about 10 minutes where we put away every chance. In the 17th minute, Leão and Abraham played off one another before Reijnders picked up the ball to smash it into the back of the net. In the 21st minute, Terracciano recovered the ball and sent it to Tammy, who read Chukwueze's run to set him up for a brace. Leão got into the action in the 23rd minute to make it 4-0: Rafa was picked out by Loftus-Cheek and went on to slot the ball past Satalino. As we played out the first 45 minutes, Abraham and Loftus-Cheek had a go, whilst Sportiello did well to stop Volpato.
The four-goal lead allowed Coach Fonseca to rotate the side at the break with Torriani, Pulisic, Okafor and Musah coming on. The latter caused the visiting goalkeeper some trouble from outside the box in the 55th minute: out for a corner, and there came the fifth Rossoneri goal. Pulisic's cross finished on the post, and it was Calabria on the rebound to put away his first goal of the season. The guests clawed one back in the 59th minute through Mulattieri, but it didn't take long for AC Milan to regain ground and put away the sixth goal through Abraham, finishing off a great move from Okafor. The game slipped away without much else to say. In the 84th minute, Torriani made a good save on Volpato's attempt from distance. It ended 6-1 after 90 minutes, no time added on.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 6-1 SASSUOLO
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Sportiello (46' Torriani); Calabria, Tomori, Pavlović, Terracciano; Fofana (46' Musah), Reijnders (65' Bartesaghi); Chukwueze, Loftus-Cheek (46' Pulisic), Leão (46' Okafor); Abraham. Subs: Raveyre; E.Royal, Gabbia, Jiménez, Thiaw; Camarda, Morata. Coach: Fonseca.
SASSUOLO (4-3-3): Satalino; Paz (46' Miranda), Odenthal, Muharemović, Pieragnolo (67' Missori); Iannoni, Obiang, Caligara (67' Thorstvedt); Volpato, Mulattieri (82' Toljan), Antiste (82' Kumi). Subs: Moldovan, A. Russo; Boloca, D'Andrea, Ghion; Berardi, Laurienté, Moro, Pierini, F. Russo. Coach: Grosso.
Referee: Bonacina di Bergamo.
Goals: 12' and 21' Chukwueze (M), 17' Reijnders (M), 23' Leão (M), 56' Calabria (M), 59' Mulattieri (S), 62' Abraham (M).
Booked: 39' Paz (S), 64' Odenthal (S), 80' Terracciano (M).
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