“Domenico Berardi gave Sassuolo the lead with barely five minutes on the clock, striking early to set the tone of the entire contest and putting Milan on the back foot from the off.”
Pivotal“Armand Laurienté struck just seconds into the second half to double Sassuolo's lead, ending the match as a meaningful contest and condemning a ten-man Milan to a damage-limitation exercise.”
Pivotal
Sassuolo
AC Milan
Outstanding performance
Sassuolo•AttackerSassuolo were ruthless where it mattered, exploiting a Milan side that effectively self-destructed inside the first 25 minutes. Domenico Berardi struck after just five minutes to give the hosts an immediate platform, and Fikayo Tomori's dismissal — his second yellow arriving in the 24th minute — handed Sassuolo a decisive advantage they never looked like surrendering. With 58% possession, 13 shots and a 93% pass accuracy, the Neroverdi were entirely in command. Armand Laurienté added a second in first-half stoppage time to kill the contest before it had really begun. Milan's mass triple substitution at the hour mark — bringing on Gimenez, Loftus-Cheek and Pulisic — smacked of desperation rather than genuine tactical intent, and a side reduced to ten men managed only one shot on target across 90 minutes. For Sassuolo, the three points consolidate their position in the top half and continue a fine run of home form, while Milan's Champions League ambitions take another damaging hit with a passive, undisciplined display on the road.
How entertaining was this match?
Cristian VolpatoYellow CardCristian Volpato receives a yellow card.
Starhinja Pavlovic takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Alieu Fadera replaces Armand Lauriente.
Andrea Pinamonti comes on for MBala Nzola.
Zachary Athekame takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek receives a yellow card.
MBala Nzola takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Samuele RicciYellow CardSamuele Ricci receives a yellow card.
Cristian Volpato takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Samuele Ricci is substituted off for Ardon Jashari.
Ardon Jashari takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Santiago Gimenez comes on for Rafael Leao.
Cristian Volpato comes on for Domenico Berardi.
Christian Pulisic comes on for Youssouf Fofana.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek comes on for Alexis Saelemaekers.
Ulisses GarciaYellow CardUlisses Garcia receives a yellow card.
MBala Nzola takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Kristian Thorstvedt takes a header shot but misses.
Domenico Berardi takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Kristian Thorstvedt attempts a header but misses the shot.
Zachary Athekame takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Armand LaurientéArmand Lauriente scores with a right-footed shot.
Luca Lipani comes on for Nemanja Matic.
Zachary Athekame replaces Christopher Nkunku.
The first half ends with a score of 1-0.
Shot by Alexis Saelemaekers with his left foot misses the target.
Woyo Coulibaly replaces Jay Idzes.
Nemanja MaticYellow CardNemanja Matic receives a yellow card.
Kristian Thorstvedt takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Domenico Berardi's left-footed shot is blocked.
Armand Lauriente's left-footed shot is blocked.
Fikayo Tomori receives a second yellow card.
Rafael Leao takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Ulisses Garcia takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Fikayo TomoriYellow CardFikayo Tomori receives a yellow card.
MBala Nzola takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Domenico BerardiDomenico Berardi takes a shot with his left foot and scores a goal.
Domenico BerardiGoal! Domenico Berardi scores to make it 1-0.
Kick-off! The referee is Fabio Maresca.
