TIME MACHINE: AC MILAN v SASSUOLO

Among those belonging to the Serie A "middle band", Sassuolo have always been a tenacious opponent that are difficult to beat. A recent rivalry (the Emiliani made it to the top flight for the first time in 2013) but stand out for matches that are anything but normal, from results to surprises and milestones. Just a few days from our 126th birthday, we will once again face the Neroverdi after their one-year absence. Let's head back to our latest match against them at San Siro with our Time Machine, dating back to December 2023.

This is our last meeting in Serie A, as AC Milan and Sassuolo did actually face off in the Coppa Italia last year. The last league meeting in December stands out from the "normal" matches between the two teams in terms of the final result and how the match went. Our 1-0 win was sealed by Christian Pulisic, continuing the pattern he has set since the start of his Rossoneri career: when the American scores, AC Milan win. It was an afternoon of important points and a meaningful debut, that of our Primavera captain at the time, Kevin Zeroli. A match that holds a great memory despite it being a difficult season.

It was a lively first half, with two AC Milan goals ruled out for offside in the space of half an hour: both Bennacer and Leão's celebrations were cut short due to VAR reviews. But also Sassuolo posed a threat, and Maignan flew into action in the 33th minute, denying Berardi's curling effort. There were many chances for both teams at the start of the second half, and the winner came around the hour mark: Bennacer played a clever, defence-splitting pass to find Pulisic, who did well to anticipate the onrushing Consigli. Maignan denied Laurienté's effort (the closest one to the equaliser) and in the end, the score didn't change despite efforts from Florenzi, Leão and Chukwueze, with the final whistle securing three important points for Pioli's Rossoneri.

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