Milan, poor showing with Sassuolo and Champions League again in question

In the 35th day of Serie A, Sassuolo once again confirmed itself as Milan’s black beast, imposing itself 2-0 at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia. For the Rossoneri it was a heavy defeat, both for the result and for the consequences on the Champions League race. The match immediately got on the right track for the neroverdi, who took the lead after just five minutes: Laurienté broke through on the left and served Berardi, who was good at beating Maignan with a precise left-footed shot at the second post. Milan took the blow and struggled to react, still conceding space to Sassuolo, which came close to doubling the score with Nzola, stopped by a decisive intervention by the French goalkeeper.

All Allegri’s team tried to get back on track relying mainly on Leao’s initiatives, but on the 24th minute came the episode that definitively changed the inertia of the match: Tomori got his second yellow card in a few minutes and left the Rossoneri in a numerical inferiority. With the extra man, Sassuolo neatly managed the end of the first half and struck again in the opening half. In the 47th minute, Laurienté closed a quick combination with Thorstvedt and struck Maignan again with a powerful conclusion, signing the 2-0 that effectively closed the challenge.

Acc Milan tried to reorganize itself, but Allegri’s changes did not produce any effect and Sassuolo controlled without particular affliction until the triple whistle, winning three well-deserved points. With this success, the neroverdi hook Bologna on 49 points, while Milan remain stuck at 67 and now risk seriously complicating their position in the standings. Juventus can catch up with the Rossoneri, while Roma, in the event of a victory on Monday against Fiorentina, would be fully back in the running for a Champions League spot, bringing them within just three points of Milan.