It has been one hell of a season for Milan so far, but the Rossoneri can ill-afford to get complacent ahead of their final-day trip to Sassuolo. The runaway Serie A leaders head to the Mapei Stadium – Citta del Tricolore with one sole purpose – stay unbeaten and claim the Scudetto.
Despite starting the season as dark horses in the Scudetto race, Stefano Pioli’s men have defied every expectation to put themselves in the driving seat to win their first Serie A title since 2010/11. Milan enter the ultimate round of fixtures holding a two-point lead on runners-up Inter and need to avoid defeat at Mapei to secure the crown irrespective of their rivals’ result against Sampdoria.
That alone should be enough of an incentive to conquer Mapei, but the Rossoneri will have another motive. Indeed, Sassuolo stunned San Siro in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, coming from behind to thrash Pioli’s side 3-1. Another win for the Neroverdi would mark an unprecedented feat in their top-flight history, seeing them beat Milan three times in a row for the first time.
Match Preview
Sassuolo
Sassuolo cruised to a landslide 3-1 victory at Bologna last time out, arresting an underwhelming run of four Serie A games without winning (D1, L3). Alessio Dionisi’s men are now on the cusp of a third successive top-half finish and a point against title-bidding Milan will do the trick, as they sit level on points with 10th-placed Torino, who lost 3-0 to Roma on Friday.
Sassuolo’s indifferent home record during this Serie A season (W6, D6, L6) makes them one of the most unpredictable sides in Italy’s top divison. Yet, after winning three consecutive fixtures at Mapei, Dionisi’s lads are winless in their last two on the spin (D1, L1) despite breaking the deadlock on each occasion.
The home side’s well-documented defensive frailties have seen them keep just two clean sheets in their 18 home league games this season. An average of 1.5 goals conceded per home Serie A fixture suggests Sassuolo could be in for another long Sunday afternoon against the division’s most prolific away side.
Milan
Milan head into the final day of the 2021/22 season in the midst of a purple patch, having won their last five Serie A matches, three of which came by a two-goal margin. A comfortable 2-0 triumph over Atalanta in the penultimate Serie A round made it eight clean sheets from ten league games for Pioli’s warriors.
Indeed, Milan have kept as many as 17 clean sheets in Serie A this season, and another shutout would see them equal their best seasonal tally since 2011/12. That could be easier said than done, though, as they have conceded at least once in their last three competitive away fixtures.
However, Milan will feel confident about getting the result they need after beating Sassuolo in their last five Serie A encounters at Mapei, scoring 2+ goals in the last four. Moreover, the Rossoneri have netted a league-high 38 goals on the road in this Serie A campaign, averaging 2.1 per game.
It is safe to say that are signs are pointing in one direction. Yet again, Milan do not have the luxury of underestimating their rivals.
Sassuolo vs Milan Team News
Sassuolo will be without the injured quartet of Jeremy Toljan, Filippo Romagna, Abdou Harroui and Pedro Obiang.
As for Milan, long-term absentee Simon Kjaer remains the only injury blow for Pioli’s side after Zlatan Ibrahimovic received the green light to make the matchday squad.
Sassuolo Potential Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Andrea Consigli; Mert Muldur, Vlad Chririches, Hamed Ferrari, Rogerio; Davide Frattesi, Matheus Henrique; Domenico Berardi, Gianluca Raspadori, Hamed Traore; Gianluca Scamacca.
Milan Potential Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Davide Calabria, Pierre Kalulu, Fikayo Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Sandro Tonali, Franck Kessie; Alexis Saelemekers, Rade Krunic, Rafael Leao; Olivier Giroud.