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

Serie A title hopefuls Milan resume their league campaign after the international break with a daunting trip to the Mapei Stadium to face Sassuolo. Sunday’s showdown in Emilia-Romagna has all the makings of a revenge-poised fixture for the visitors, who are keen to build momentum in the Scudetto race.

Sassuolo have collected seven points from their opening five league fixtures, winning twice and drawing once. However, their attacking approach has made for some unpredictable encounters, with both teams scoring in all five matches. After beating Juventus and Torino at home, the Neroverdi have every reason to fancy their chances against another Italian heavyweight.

Milan, meanwhile, have yet to taste defeat in Serie A under Ruben Amorim, collecting three wins and two draws. The Rossoneri endured a frustrating spell before the international break, but a convincing 3-0 victory over Lecce offered encouraging signs of progress.

However, Sassuolo have proved particularly formidable on home turf. With both sides possessing plenty of attacking quality, Sunday’s clash could produce another entertaining spectacle for neutrals.

Match Preview

Sassuolo

Sassuolo have quickly established themselves as a tricky proposition under Aquilani, whose attacking philosophy has helped them punch above their weight. Although their opening five league games have yielded only seven points, victories over Juventus and Torino have demonstrated Sassuolo’s ability to trouble more established opponents.

The Neroverdi have been particularly impressive at the Mapei Stadium, winning eight of their last 11 home league fixtures. They have also scored at least twice in each of their previous six home league outings, suggesting Milan’s defense could face a stern test on Sunday.

Recent history offers further encouragement for the hosts. Sassuolo have avoided defeat in their last three Serie A meetings with Milan, recording one win and two draws. They also won 2-0 in the corresponding fixture last season, giving Aquilani’s men a timely reminder that the Rossoneri are far from invincible.

Still, Sassuolo must tighten up defensively if they hope to extend that run. Their tendency to leave spaces at the back has contributed to a string of high-scoring matches, and Milan possess enough clinical finishers to punish any lapses in concentration.

Milan

Amorim’s Milan have made a solid start to the season, remaining unbeaten across their first five Serie A games. Although consecutive draws exposed some shortcomings, their 3-0 demolition of Lecce before the international break restored confidence and provided a glimpse of their attacking potential.

The Rossoneri have also demonstrated impressive efficiency in front of goal, converting a league-high 15.6% of their attempts before this round. They may not always overwhelm opponents with their shot volume, but their ability to make chances count could prove decisive against Sassuolo.

Their away record offers further encouragement. Milan have only lost once in their last six Serie A matches outside San Siro (W3, D2). However, that defeat came against Sassuolo in May, meaning Amorim’s men will need to overcome an opponent that has recently enjoyed the upper hand in this fixture.

One particularly promising trend is Milan’s ability to finish strongly. They entered the matchday with Serie A’s joint-best second-half record, while five of their away league goals this season had arrived between the 61st and 75th minutes.

Team News

Sassuolo could be without three important players, with Jay Idzes, Arijanet Muric and Sebastian Walukiewicz all unlikely to feature. Vasilije Adzic will be one to watch after scoring in each of the Neroverdi’s previous three fixtures, while Domenico Berardi and Armand Lauriente should provide plenty of attacking threat.

Milan will miss Pervis Estupinan and Alexis Saelemaekers, leaving Amorim with decisions to make on the flanks. Davide Bartesaghi could feature at left-back, while Strahinja Pavlovic should retain his place in central defence. Christian Pulisic and Diego Moreira will offer attacking support, with Goncalo Ramos expected to lead the line.

Sassuolo vs Milan Potential Starting Lineups

Sassuolo (4-3-3): Turati; Cinquegrano, Caleta-Car, Leysen, Doig; Adzic, Matic, Thorstvedt; Berardi, Esposito, Lauriente.

Milan (3-4-2-1): Maignan; Gila, De Winter, Pavlovic; Bartesaghi, Modric, Rabiot, Chukwueze; Moreira, Pulisic; Ramos.

Sassuolo vs Milan Prediction

Sassuolo’s impressive home form and recent record against Milan make this a potentially tricky assignment for Amorim’s men. The Rossoneri, however, have shown greater clinical efficiency and possess enough attacking quality to exploit the hosts’ defensive vulnerabilities.

If Milan are to challenge Roma and Inter for the title, they cannot afford to drop points here.

Prediction: Milan to Win