ROSSONERI GRIND OUT CRUCIAL WIN

The side had to win and did so. AC Milan beat Sassuolo 1-0 thanks to an own goal from Lirola in the first half. The valuable win sees the Rossoneri climb up to third on 48 points. It was a tough afternoon at San Siro for the Diavolo, with De Zerbi's controlling the games at points but without being able to find a way past the extraordinary Donnarumma. Gigio was one of the stars of the match, always solid when called upon to make the vital stops which ensured a clean sheet. The defence did well overall, the forwards struggled with little supply due to some excellent organisation from the away defence. It's a vital win which can set a foundation for the final run-in as the guys once again showed that they want to play a key role at the end of this league season. 

SEE THE BEST PHOTOS FROM AC MILAN v SASSUOLO

MATCH REPORT 

The Rossoneri started slowly as they struggled to hit their stride and trouble the Sassuolo defence. The visitors looked to take advantage in the 20th minute with a Lirola cross that was met by Djuricic at the near post but Donnarumma instinctively stuck out a hand to deny him. Milan's response came through Paquetá who was set up by Suso but his shot from close range went straight at Consigli. It turned out to be foreshadowing for the first goal which came in the 35th minute when a Suso corner found its way into the net via a Lirola deflection. Not long after, Sassuolo missed a chance to equalise when Boga's sidefoot effort hit the post. De Zerbi's players started to play on the front foot and control possession but without troubling the goal. The moment that changed the game came in the 69th minute. Kessie played a long ball up to Piatek who was brought down at the edge of the area by Consigli. After consulting VAR, Valeri issued a red card for the goalkeeper. In the 84th minute, Cutrone set up Kessie who made his way into the box, put Demiral on the floor with a fake backheel but the shot went over. Milan then saw out five minutes of stoppage time to move up to third in the table.

MATCH SUMMARY

AC MILAN 1-0 SASSUOLO

AC MILAN: Donnarumma G.; Calabria, Musacchio, Romagnoli, Rodriguez; Kessie, Bakayoko (56' Biglia), Paquetá (73' Castillejo), Suso, Piatek (84' Cutrone), Calhanoglu. Subs: Reina, Donnarumma A., Borini, Conti, Bertolacci, Montolivo, Abate, Strinic, Laxalt. Coach: Gennaro Gattuso.

SASSUOLO: Consigli; Lirola, Demiral, Ferrari, Peluso; Locatelli (63' Bourabia), Sensi, Magnanelli (68' Pegolo); Berardi, Djuricic (74' Matri), Boga. Subs.: Lemos, Da Silva, Scamaccia, Sernicola, Odgaard, Magnani, Khouma, Di Francesco, Adjapong. Coach: Roberto De Zerbi.

Referee: Paolo Valeri from Rome.
Goals: 35' o.g. Lirola (M).
Booked: 37' Bakayoko (M), 51' Paquetá (M), 92' Berardi (S).
Sent-off: 67' Consigli (S).

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