AC Milan vs Sassuolo

Serie A titans AC Milan will be desperate to cap off a topsy-turvy 2023 on a positive note when they take on bottom-half strugglers Sassuolo at the Stadio San Siro this weekend.

AC Milan lost a potentially crucial ground on Serie A leaders Inter Milan last weekend as Luka Jovic’s 90th-minute equalizer salvaged a 2-2 draw for ‘I Rossoneri’ against rock-bottom Salernitana. With pressure continuing to mount on head coach Stefano Pioli, the impending San Siro return could be what the doctor ordered for Milan, whose last three home league matches all produced victories by a combined score of 7-1. A 3-0 thumping of Monza in their most recent home outing marked Milan’s fourth clean sheet in eight top-flight matches at the San Siro this season (W6, L2), contributing to the division’s joint-best home defensive record of only four goals conceded. Against this backdrop, the hosts have lost their last three home league encounters against Sassuolo, conceding 2+ goals on each occasion.

While the visitors can draw confidence from posting an incredible 5-2 victory on their last visit to Milan, their recent league form paints a bleak picture. Not even a halftime lead proved enough for Sassuolo to claim three points against promoted Genoa in the previous round, with the Griffins’ second-half comeback condemning ‘I Neroverdi’ to a third loss in their last four league games (D1). Manager Alessio Dionisi has come under heavy scrutiny as his men commence this round only three points clear of 18th-placed Cagliari, largely thanks to the fact they’re one of only two sides in Serie A yet to keep a clean sheet this season. Sassuolo’s defensive frailties have seen them concede a league second-high 32 goals, 17 of which came on the road.