TIME MACHINE: SASSUOLO v AC MILAN

On 21 July 2020, the day of Sassuolo v AC Milan, temperatures in Reggio Emilia peaked at 33°C. The league had been suspended in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic that swept across Italy and the world, and it did not resume until June. Reinforced by the arrivals of Ibrahimović, Kjær and Saelemaekers, AC Milan shifted into a different gear: six wins, two draws and 25 goals in eight matches during that unusual summer edition of Serie A, played in eerily silent stadiums and with slightly altered kick-off times. That Tuesday night, referee Luca Pairetto blew the whistle at 21:45 CET.

The first chance fell to the hosts, with Berardi’s effort comfortably gathered by Donnarumma on the evening of his 200th appearance for the Rossoneri. Then AC Milan found their rhythm: a midfielder winning possession, Çalhanoğlu supplying the final ball, and Ibrahimović finishing the first two open-play goals of the post-lockdown era. It happened first in the 19th minute, when Kessié pressed high to win the ball, crossing to the Swedish striker who powered home a commanding header in front of Consigli. He struck again in first-half stoppage time: Bennacer regained possession deep in his own half, Ibra timed his run to perfection, lifted the ball delicately over Consigli and rolled it into an empty net.

In between came Sassuolo's equaliser, a Caputo penalty, followed shortly after by Bourabia's dismissal for a second yellow card. The second half was largely one-way traffic, even if the scoreline stayed at 2-1. Consigli denied Ibrahimović a hat-trick, while the post prevented Bennacer from scoring a second in successive matches. The Sassuolo keeper then produced a remarkable triple save: first from Kessié, then twice from Bonaventura on the rebound. AC Milan headed back to the dressing room with 23 points from the last 27 available and, with three games to spare, mathematical qualification for the Europa League secured. Shortly afterwards, the Club announced that Stefano Pioli would remain in the Rossoneri dugout for at least two more seasons, a journey that would culminate in a second-place finish and the Club's 19th Scudetto.

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