THREE SOLID POINTS AGAINST SASSUOLO
Serie A
Ibra decides it. With his first two goals from open play since football’s post-lockdown return, Zlatan inspired AC Milan to a third successive win after triumphs over Parma and Bologna. A difficult and costly game, which saw the Rossoneri lose Conti and Romagnoli to injury and Theo Hernández and Bennacer to suspension, with the latter two now missing Friday’s game against Atalanta. The Rossoneri handled the game well in the second half with their opponents down to ten men, despite spurning a few chances too many to kill off the game. Zlatan’s two first-half finishes, both off Hakan Çalhanoğlu assists with Caputo’s penalty equaliser coming in between, saw the Rossoneri secure Europa League qualification for next season with three games still left to play in the current campaign. Tonight also saw a huge milestone for Gigio Donnarumma, as our No. 99 made his 200th appearance in a Rossoneri shirt. AC Milan climb up to 59 points in the table after tonight’s 2-1 win at the Mapei Stadium, momentarily overtaking Roma and moving into fifth place in the table for the night. The stats now read: 23 points from a possible 27 in the last nine games. Keep up the good work boys!
REPORT
It was an action-packed first half in Reggio Emilia, with things not always going AC Milan’s way: the Rossoneri lost both Conti (after eleven minutes) and then Romagnoli (in the 32nd minute) through injury. But one big positive early on was the goal that broke the deadlock, one which came after a bright start for Sassuolo: Çalhanoğlu whipped in a pinpoint cross and Zlatan produced an exquisite diving header to beat Consigli with 19 minutes on the clock. Ibra was once again involved on the 33-minute mark: unmarked at the far post, the Swedish striker was unable to finish off Bennacer’s devilish delivery with his head as Consigli protected his near post well. In the 42nd minute, the home side were awarded a penalty after Çalhanoğlu was adjudged to have handled in the box. Caputo then then stepped up to make it 1-1. In added time at the end of the half, Çalhanoğlu and Ibrahimović successfully combined again: a perfect through ball from the Turk and great composure from the Swede, who expertly rounded the goalkeeper and tucked it away. Just before the half-time whistle, Bourabia was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Sassuolo made a number of changes at half-time, while Coach Pioli opted to bring on Laxalt for Theo, who, after being booked in the opening period, will now miss the Atalanta match through suspension. AC Milan took control of proceedings and almost scored again through Ibra, but Consigli was there to smother the ball. After 74 minutes, Bennacer's first-time daisy-cutter clipped the outside of the post after AC Milan had won back possession high up the pitch. With 80 minutes on the clock, the Diavolo could have sealed it once and for all but were denied by a triple save from Consigli: after pushing away Kessie’s drive, the Sassuolo shot-stopper managed to keep out Bonaventura from point-blank range on two occasions. The Rossoneri weren’t able to score a third, but it didn’t matter: Coach Pioli’s men picked up their third consecutive win.
MATCH SUMMARY
SASSUOLO 1-2 AC MILAN
Sassuolo (4-2-3-1): Consigli; Müldür (46' Kyriakopoulos), Peluso, Marlon, Rogerio; Locatelli, Bourabia; Berardi, Haraslin (46' Boga) (68' Djuricic), Raspadori (46' Magnanelli); Caputo (89' Traoré). Subs.: Pegolo, Turati; Magnani, Piccinini, Toljan; Ghion; Manzari. Coach: De Zerbi.
AC Milan (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma G.; Conti (11' Calabria), Kjær, Romagnoli (32' Gabbia), Hernández (46' Laxalt); Kessie, Bennacer (79' Biglia); Saelemaekers, Çalhanoğlu (79' Bonaventura), Rebić; Ibrahimović. Subs.: Begović, Donnarumma A.; Brescianini, Krunić, Paquetá; Leão, Maldini. Coach: Pioli
Referee: Pairetto from Nichelino
Goal: 19' Ibrahimović (M), 42' pen. Caputo (S), 47' Ibrahimović (M)
Booked: 22' Bourabia (S), 34' Locatelli (S), 37' Hernández (M), 61' Bennacer (M), 76' Laxalt (M), 85' Bonaventura (M).
Sent off: 51' Bourabia (S).
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