Serie A Preview: Sassuolo vs Milan – Team News, Lineups & Prediction | OneFootball

Serie A top-four hopefuls Milan head to the Mapei Stadium to face mid-table Sassuolo in a must-win clash on Sunday afternoon. While the result won’t mean much for the home side, it could prove decisive for the visitors, whose recent performances have cast doubt on their lofty ambitions.

It has been a remarkable comeback season for Sassuolo, who earned a swift return to the top flight last season. Sitting 11th in the standings, the Neroverdi can still secure their best Serie A finish since the 2020/21 campaign and break into the top half.

Udinese’s 2-0 home win over Torino yesterday saw Kostra Runjaic’s side leapfrog Sassuolo in the table. However, with a single point separating Fabio Grosso’s charges for the Friulians ahead of the afternoon kick-off, the hosts still have every chance of reclaiming a top-half spot before the end of the round.

Visiting Milan will be keen to prevent that from happening, as they aim to solidify their position in the top-four race amid a rough patch. Indeed, the visitors’ shambolic form in the last four rounds (W1, D1, L2) has compromised their Champions League ambitions, leaving them only five points clear of fifth-placed Como.

With the Lariani sharing the spoils with Napoli in a dull 0-0 draw yesterday, this feels like a perfect chance for the Rossoneri to re-establish breathing room in the top-four race, as they aim to bounce back from a scoreless stalemate against Juventus last weekend.

Match Preview

Sassuolo

Despite last Sunday’s goalless draw at Fiorentina, Sassuolo should take the field in high spirits, having lost just once in their last five league outings (W2, D2). A strong season ending is well on the cards for Grosso’s side, given that only four teams have collected more than Sassuolo’s 23-point tally since Gameweek 22.

Furthermore, they’ve been in an unforgiving mood at the Mapei Stadium, racking up four wins across their last five home matches in Serie A (L1), including a pair of 2-1 victories over Como and Cagliari in the build-up to this showdown. As a result, they now seek a third consecutive home triumph in the top flight for the first time since April 2022.

Milan’s visit is unlikely to faze Sassuolo, as they’ve gone unbeaten in six of the last eight meetings between the sides in Serie A (W3, D3, L3), including a goal-glutted 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture. Against this backdrop, the Neroverdi have won none of their last eight home clashes against the San Siro giants (D2, L6).

Milan

After losing just twice in the first 28 rounds, Milan have suffered three defeats in their last six Serie A games (W2, D1), but they’re still in pole position to make a swift return to the Champions League. Nevertheless, returning manager Massimiliano Allegri has failed to seize the advantage of Milan’s light schedule this season to mount a serious Scudetto challenge.

Struggles in front of goal have been a recurring theme for the 19-time Italian champions, as they’ve failed to get on the scoresheet in five of their last nine league matches. In fact, they’re the only current top-five side yet to smash a 50-goal barrier this term, netting a mediocre average of 1.41 goals per game so far.

However, Milan have fared outstandingly against ‘lesser’ opponents this season, going unbeaten in all ten away matches against teams starting this round ninth or worse (W8, D2). Defensive solidity has been crucial for their away success, with the Rossoneri conceding one goal or fewer on their last ten Serie A road trips.

Team News

Sassuolo will be without Filippo Romagna, Edoardo Pieragnolo, and Fali Cande, while Daniel Boloca is also not expected to recover in time for this showdown. Meanwhile, star winger Domenico Berardi returns from suspension to face familiar foes, looking to add to his impressive tally of 11 goals in 19 Serie A appearances against Milan.

Meanwhile, the Rossoneri cannot call upon veteran midfielder Luka Modric, who suffered a season-ending facial injury against Juventus. The Croatian superstar’s absence is likely to open space for Ardon Jashari, who’s expected to get the nod ahead of Samuele Ricci. After yet another dismal performance, Christian Pulisic could make way for Christopher Nkunku.

Sassuolo vs Milan Potential Starting Lineups

Sassuolo (4-3-3): Turati; Walukiewicz, Muharemovic, Idzes, Garcia; Kone, Matic, Thorstvedt; Berardi, Pinamonti, Lauriente.

Milan (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Jashari, Rabiot, Estupinan; Leao, Nkunku.

Sassuolo vs Milan Prediction

With Sassuolo heading into proceedings in fine form, this won’t be a simple task for Milan, especially given their recent showings. However, the Rossoneri must handle the pressure if they’re serious about securing Champions League football, and their strong away record against lower-half opposition could prove decisive at the Mapei Stadium.