POINTS SHARED IN REGGIO EMILIA
Serie A
At the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, the Rossoneri drew 1-1 with Sassuolo on Serie A Matchday 6, as league action resumed following the first international break of the season. Rabiot’s 63rd-minute opener and Odenthal’s 68th-minute equalizer decided the result, leaving the Rossoneri with some regret after a hard-earned and deserved lead lasted only five minutes. Adrien Rabiot’s third goal of the season - to go with two assists - had rewarded an extended period of dominance spanning the end of the first half and the start of the second. The points were ultimately shared after a match in which the Rossoneri posed a greater threat than the hosts, who nevertheless kept believing and grew into the game late on.
Amorim’s team endured further misfortune. After losing Saelemaekers to injury during the international break, Matteo Gabbia was stretchered off after 20 minutes on his first Serie A start of the season. After six league matches, AC Milan remains unbeaten with 12 points, four points off the top. Attention now turns to the Europa League and Thursday evening’s trip to Salzburg on Matchday 2 of the League Phase. There are encouraging signs, and the team must continue on this path with determination and courage, one match at a time. Come on, boys!
CHECK OUT THE PHOTO GALLERY FROM SASSUOLO vs. AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
The Rossoneri returned to Serie A action in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Gabbia making his first league start of the season and Pulisic operating behind Ramos. However, Matteo’s match was cut short after less than 20 minutes when a muscle issue forced him to leave the field on a stretcher. De Winter came on in his place, but the game was slow to get going. Sassuolo’s press forced the Rossoneri into several errors while playing out from the back, although the hosts did not create any clear-cut chances. After the half-hour mark, Amorim’s team raised its level and created several scoring opportunities. The first fell to Rabiot, who beat Murić to the ball but nodded over. In the 43rd minute, Ramos threatened twice in quick succession, first with a left-footed shot and then a header, but Murić denied him on both occasions. Seven minutes were added on, and before halftime the Sassuolo goalkeeper also kept out Moreira’s left-footed effort and Pavlović’s header.
Modrić replaced the booked Estupiñan at the start of the second half. The Rossoneri began positively, but Sassuolo gradually regained its shape and moved higher up the field, despite Chukwueze and Ramos both going close to breaking the deadlock. The goal arrived in the 63rd minute, when Rabiot finally beat Murić with a left-footed strike to put the Rossoneri 1-0 ahead. However, the lead lasted only five minutes. Shortly beforehand, Maignan had produced a superb save to deny Bowie, but Odenthal equalized in the 68th minute with the decisive touch in a crowded penalty area. AC Milan immediately went in search of another goal, with Pulisic playing Chukwueze through, but the winger was slightly off balance and failed to beat the goalkeeper. Cisse, shortly after coming on, curled wide in the 83rd minute. The final chance fell to the hosts, but Mike saved Thorstvedt’s curling left-footed effort. Full time.
MATCH DETAILS
SASSUOLO 1-1 AC MILAN
SASSUOLO (4-3-3): Murić; Van der Bremt (79' Cinquegrano), Ćaleta-Car, Leysen (26' Odenthal), Doig; Adžić (60' Thorsvedt), Matić (79' Lipani), Bakola; Berardi, Esposito (60' Bowie), Laurienté. Subs.: Satalino, Turati; Candé, Obrador, Walukiewicz; Ghion, Sulemana; Domínguez, Skjellerup, Volpato. Coach: Aquilani.
AC MILAN: (4-4-1-1): Maignan; Gila, Gabbia (20' De Winter), Pavlović, Estupiñan (46' Modrić); Chukwueze (85' Hutchinson), Musah (78' Jashari), Rabiot, Moreira; Pulisic (78' Cisse); Ramos. Subs.: Bouyer, Torriani; Bartesaghi, Diawara, Terracciano F., Tomori; Comotto, Loftus-Cheek; Camarda. Coach: Amorim.
Referee: Fourneau from Roma.
Goal: 63' Rabiot (M), 68' Odenthal (S)
Booked: 41' Estupiñan (M), 45+3' De Winter (M), 87' Ramos (M), 91' Pavlović (M), 94' Thorstvedt (S).
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