TIME MACHINE: PALETTA IN AC MILAN v SASSUOLO

You say Sassuolo and the first thing that springs to mind for AC Milan is securing Scudetto number 19 in Reggio Emilia. Yet the Neroverdi have often been a bogey team for the Diavolo, especially at San Siro. The Rossoneri haven't beaten Sassuolo at home in four and a half years. In October 2016, it seemed like the trials against the Neroverdi would continue but Paletta scored a great goal to wrap up the comeback for a memorable 4-3 victory; let's take a look.

Gabriel Alejandro Paletta was born in Buenos Aires and began his footballing career in the province of the Argentinian capital. He broke through the ranks at Nafield and made it into the First Team. Paletta then had a short spell with Liverpool before returning to his home country to join Boca Juniors. After that stint with the Argentinian giants, he moved to Italy; his great-grandfather's Calabrian roots meant that he had dual citizenship. His time in Italy took him from Parma to AC Milan, with a loan spell at Atalanta, and then to Monza at the end of his career. Before his final stint in football, he also spent time in China with Jiangsu Suning. He made his debut for the Diavolo in 2015 and had his best campaign in Milan in 2016/17, making 32 appearances as a regular starter in Montella's side, including one in the Supercoppa Italiana final.

On 2 October 2016, Serie A matchday 7, AC Milan were fourth on ten points and fighting for Champions League football. Without captain Romagnoli, Paletta played at Gómez's side. Bonaventura's opening goal - from a deflected shot on the edge of the area - got the game off to a flier but it looked to be all downhill from there. Just a few seconds later, a mistake from Abate opened the way for Politano to put it past Donnarumma and equalise. The whistle blew for half time just as the Rossoneri were threatening, much to the ire of Montella, who was shown a red card. A shock to start the second half as goals from Pellegrini and Acerbi made it 3-1. The game seemed dead and buried but the changes would make all the difference. Niang won a penalty, converted by Bacca, and Locatelli sent his stunning effort into the top corner. The game seemed destined to end level but AC Milan would have one final say: Niang's cross found Paletta, who headed home for his first goal for the Club - and what a time to get it.

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