ROSSONERI LOSE IN REGGIO EMILIA
Serie A
A difficult afternoon for AC Milan, who lost 0-2 away at Sassuolo. In Reggio Emilia, the deciding goals came from Berardi in the 5th minute and Laurienté in the 47th, in a match heavily shaped by Tomori's sending-off in the 24th minute. Being down to ten men for so long hampered the performance, which was in any case far from impressive. Coach Allegri's side attempted to shake themselves into life, driven in particular by Pavlović and Athekame, but it was not enough to find the back of the net, a recurring problem of late, or to avoid defeat. A setback that could not have come at a worse time, at a critical point in the season, during a difficult spell for the Rossoneri. The team showed signs of recovery against Juventus (0-0) and Hellas Verona (1-0), but suffered their third loss in five outings since the March international break.
Berardi and Laurienté helped Sassuolo as AC Milan struggled with their vertical play and fast players. After Serie A matchday 35, the Diavolo remain on 67 points, losing ground on Napoli (three points behind), remaining third in the league, but they now face the prospect of Juventus potentially drawing level and Roma closing the gap, cutting the advantage over the Champions League places (currently five points). Attention and compactness will be essential in the days ahead, with both physical and mental preparation crucial ahead of their next fixture, scheduled for Sunday 10 May at 20:45 CEST at San Siro, against Atalanta. A response is a must.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM SASSUOLO v AC MILAN
REPORT
Sassuolo went ahead in the fifth minute with their first attack: Thorstvedt recovered the ball, Laurienté played in Berardi who then slotted it home into the far corner. In the seventh minute, Nzola forced Maignan into a key save. After a couple of dangerous tackle in the area, Leão wasted a big chance in the 18th minute: he got to the edge of the box and shot powerfully with his left foot, but his effort went just wide. In the 24th minute, Tomori received a red card (double booking). In the 26th minute, Pavlović did well to block Thorstvedt from what looked a near-certain goal. Few signs of life followed after that, just before the break, Saelemaekers had an attempt, but to no avail.
In the second half, the Neroverdi struck immediately again, putting the match to bed: in the 47th minute, Laurienté set off down the flank, exchanged passes with Thorstvedt and beat Maignan with a venomous right-footed effort. In the 51st minute, Thorstvedt headed just over. AC Milan were chasing the game, in the 62nd minute Jashari darted forward but was wayward. The opposition never went for the jugular, yet Il Diavolo were never able to hurt them on the rare occasions they got forward; not even in the 83rd minute when Athekame's right-footed effort went wide. In the 86th minute, Pavlović was blocked by a deflection. Deep into stoppage time, Turati held Pulisic's free-kick. Sassuolo 2-0 AC Milan.
MATCH DETAILS
SASSUOLO 2-0 AC MILAN
SASSUOLO (4-3-3): Turati; Walukiewicz, Idzes (40' Coulibaly), Muharemović, Garcia; Koné, Matić (46' Lipani), Thorstvedt; Berardi (59' Volpato), Nzola (84' Pinamonti), Laurienté (84' Fadera). Subs: Murić, Satalino, Zacchi; Doig, Felipe, Romagna; Frangella, Iannoni, Vranckx; Moro. Coach: Grosso.
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlović; Saelemaekers (59' (Loftus-Cheek)), Fofana (59' Pulisic), Jashari (66' Ricci), Rabiot, Estupiñan; Leão (59' Gimenez), Nkunku (46' Athekame). Subs: Pittarella, Terracciano; Bartesaghi, De Winter; Füllkrug. Coach: Allegri.
Referee: Maresca from Napoli.
Goals: 5' Berardi (S), 47' Laurienté (S).
Booked: 38' Matić (S), 57' Garcia (S), 71' Ricci (M), 77' Loftus-Cheek (M), 89' Volpato (S), 94' Fadera (S).
Sent off: 24' Tomori (M) for a second bookable offence.
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