A loose ball bounces around the middle of the pitch as Milan try to push forward on a late attack, but Biondini knows exactly what is required at this stage of the game and sends a thumping clearance flying back down towards the visitors' penalty area. With little over a minute left to play, that's all that is required of the hosts as they look to hold off their determined opponents.
90' +2
Ball after ball is being flung into the Sassuolo penalty area, but the hosts are doing incredibly well to hold on to their two-goal lead. They now have every available player camped deep inside their own half of the pitch and doing well to cut out every cross that is being launched into the box, resulting in Milan being unable to find any joy in front of goal.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be five minutes of added time.
89'
Once again, Milan get forward well but let themselves down at the vital moment with poor passing. This time it's Bertolacci who picks up the ball in space before trying to thread a pass into the path of Boateng, but it's completely overhit and misses the Ghanaian before rolling harmlessly out of play for a goal-kick.
87'
A. Bertolacci gets yellow.
Vrsaljko finds himself in an advanced position as he charges through the middle of the pitch and towards the edge of the Milan penalty area, but his determined run is brought to a painful end by Bertolacci, who dives into the Croatian and brings him crashing to the ground with a poor sliding challenge that results in a yellow card for the midfielder.
86'
D. Falcinelli enters the game and replaces D. Berardi.
Sassuolo have decided to make a late change, with Berardi, who receives a rousing round of applause from the Sassuolo fans as he makes his way off the pitch, being replaced by Falcinelli for the final few minutes of the game.
85'
Chance for Bacca! Milan push forward on one of their best attacking moves of the second half as they work the ball around quickly deep inside the Sassuolo half of the pitch. A thumping low pass is then fired across the face of goal, where the Colombian striker is patiently waiting, but he's unable to get a foot on it and it ends up flying just an inch or so past his outstretched boot.
84'
Sassuolo are finally able to win the ball back after a lengthy period on the back foot, and, understandably, they are in no rush to send it into the Milan penalty area. Instead, they hold on to possession deep down the right wing and look to run down the clock, with Berardi, who has been excellent today, doing well to keep the ball away from Antonelli and Bonaventura.
82'
K. Boateng enters the game and replaces K. Honda.
Milan have made their final alteration of the game, and it's an attacking one, with Honda making way for Boateng.
81'
Milan are continuing to push a plethora of players forward in search of a late goal, but, as has been the case for the vast majority of the game, it just isn't working for them inside the Sassuolo half of the pitch. The hosts are defending resolutely and making life very difficult for Bacca and Menez, both of whom have barely had a sniff on goal.
Minute
Description
79'
Bacca twists and turns on the edge of the Sassuolo penalty area as he desperately tries to find a way through the sea of black and green shirts camped in front of him. He's unable to do so but is able to poke a pass through to Bonaventura, but it's slightly overhit and misses the midfielder before being cut out by Consigli at the near post.
77'
Milan have now pushed as many bodies forward as possible as they search for a goal that set us up for an excellent end to the game. However, it's leaving them open at the back, and Berardi tries to take advantage of this by flying down the right flank on a blisteringly quick run. He then cuts inside before trying to beat Donnarumma with an audacious chip, but he gets it wrong and sends the ball sailing into the young goalkeeper's hands.
76'
G. Defrel gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
RED CARD! Sassuolo are down to 10 men! Defrel cynically and stupidly dives into Kucka and brings the Milan midfielder crashing to the ground with a poorly-timed sliding challenge, leaving the referee with no choice but to show him a second yellow card. With little under 15 minutes left to play, could that end up costing his side all three points?
74'
Milan quickly lose possession from the restart, and Sassuolo immediately embark on another dangerous attacking move, this time down the left wing. Sansone breaks into the box before trying to chip a cross over to the far post, but it's slightly overhit and fails to find a teammate before flying over the top of the crossbar and out for a goal-kick.
72'
Assist Šime Vrsaljko
GOAL! Sassuolo have doubled their lead! Biondini holds up the ball deep down the right wing before bringing Vrsaljko into play, and the full-back then plays a quick one-two with Berardi. He then heads towards the byline before cutting a lovely low cross into the middle of the box, where it beats every Milan defender before finding Sansone, who fires a first-time strike past Donnarumma and into the back of the net.
71'
N. Sansone has scored a goal for Sassuolo! Assist by Š. Vrsaljko.
70'
Milan have made their second change of the afternoon, with Romagnoli coming on to replace Zapata.
69'
A. Romagnoli enters the game and replaces C. Zapata.
68'
De Sciglio is floored by a poorly-timed challenge by Peluso, and Milan are awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position on the right flank as a result. Honda steps up and tries to curl a deep cross on to the head of Bacca, but the ball ends up sailing over the Colombian striker and straight into the hands of Consigli.
66'
Great chance for Biondini! An awful pass from Kucka is pounced on by Sansone, and Sassuolo immediatly fly forward on a quick counter-attack. The striker holds up the ball well before spinning and finding the recently-introduced midfielder, but he ends up firing his first-time, 20-yard strike just a few yards wide of the far post.
64'
The ball bounces around the edge of the Milan penalty area, but no Sassuolo players are able to get near enough to unleash a shot. Bertolacci then picks it up and charges forward in an attempt to kick-start a counter-attack, but he's cynically pulled back by Defrel, leaving the referee with no choice but to book the Frenchman.
63'
D. Biondini enters the game and replaces S. Missiroli.
G. Defrel gets yellow.
After receiving medical attention for a couple of minutes, Missiroli is stretchered off the pitch and down the tunnel, and it'll be Biondini who takes his place for the final half an hour.
61'
It now looks as if Missiroli might be the latest Sassuolo player to make way due to injury. A half-hearted Milan attack breaks down and the hosts immediately fly forward on a quick counter through Defrel. The Frenchman then does well to tee up the number 7, but he fires a scuffed first-time shot well over the top of the crossbar before going down holding his hamstring.
59'
The visitors come back again as they swarm deep into the Sassuolo half of the pitch, and their determined attack results in a corner on the left flank. It fails to trouble the hosts, however, and results in a second that is flung into the middle of the box, but Zapata's 10-yard header ends up flying straight into the hands of Consigli.
57'
Milan work the ball around well as they patiently make their way down the left flank. Bonaventura then finds himself in a pocket of space and tries to send a quick pass into the feet of Bacca, but the Colombian ends up running away from the ball and, as a result, it can only find Acerbi near to the penalty spot.
55'
J. Ménez enters the game and replaces M. Balotelli.
Ironically, Balotelli also makes way at the same time as Cannavaro, and he's replaced by Menez, who will be looking to add to the two goals that he scored during the week.
54'
L. Antei enters the game and replaces P. Cannavaro.
Cannavaro seems to be really struggling after tangling with Balotelli as the two battled for the ball. He twisted his leg nastily as he tried to poke the ball away from the Milan striker, and it looks as if he'll have to be replaced for the rest of the game.
Cannavaro will play no further part this afternoon and limps off the pitch to be replaced by Antei.
52'
Great save by Donnarumma! A half-hearted Milan attack breaks down, allowing Sansone to dart through the middle of the pitch and towards the visitors' penalty area. Upon reaching the box he holds the ball up well before teeing up Berardi, and his strike partner quickly skips past Zapata before unleashing a curling low shot that the young goalkeeper does well to parry away with an acrobatic diving stop.
50'
As was the case on several occasions in the first half, Milan desperately try to push as many bodies forward as possible only to be quickly put under pressure by the Sassuolo midfield, who close down each and every white shirt and force Alex into playing the ball all the way back to Donnarumma.
48'
Defrel breaks down the right flank and puts Alex under plenty of pressure, forcing the Brazilian into firing a rushed clearance out of play for a throw-in. It's taken quickly and sent back towards the Frenchman, but he's unable to muscle his way into the Milan penalty area and has his pocket picked by Antonelli at the vital moment.
46'
And we're underway once again!
45'
Sansone has continually caused problems for Milan during the opening half, and once again he does so by using his excellent pace to fly through a clump of white shirts, who are caught ball-watching. He then sprints into the left-hand side of the penalty area before heading to the byline, but Donnarumma is there to tip the ball away from the striker and out for a corner that the visitors that fails to result in a chance on goal due to an accidental handball by Cannavaro.
44'
And now Balotelli goes close! Milan's chances on goal have been few and far between over the last half an hour, but they're finally able to push forward quickly after Sassuolo temporarily switch off. Bacca breaks into the left-hand side of the hosts' penalty area before firing a thumping low pass across the face of goal, but it ends up missing the outstretched boot of his strike partner by the narrowest of margins. Any sort of contact would have surely sent the ball flying into the back of the net.
43'
What a chance for Berardi to make it 2-0! Sansone, who has easily been Sassuolo's best player thus far, twists and turns as he weaves his way through a sea of white shirts deep inside the Milan half of the pitch. He then heads into the penalty area before poking a pass towards the number 25, but his rocket of a low shot is tipped away well by Donnarumma.
41'
Chance for Sansone! Sassuolo quickly win back possession and break forward on another excellent attacking move. Cannavaro, who is still in an advanced position from the recent free-kick, picks up the ball just outside of the penalty area and chips a lovely pass past Zapata and into the path of the striker. He meets it well and shoots quickly, but Antonelli is just about able to throw his body in the way of the strike.
40'
And now Magnanelli is clumsily fouled by Bonaventura, resulting in another free-kick for Sassuolo, this time from a similar distance but on the right flank instead of towards the left. This time, Berardi tries to curl it on to the head of a teammate, but it's poorly hit by the striker and fails to beat Bertolacci on the edge of the box.
38'
Sansone is pulled to the ground by Bertolacci as he tries to break forward, and Sassuolo are awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position midway inside the Milan half of the pitch. It's fired low and hard into the middle of the penalty area, where it finds the aformentioned striker, but his first-time half-volley isn't powerful enough and is easily stopped by Donnarumma in the middle of the goal.
36'
After dealing with the danger from the set-piece, Sassuolo fly down the left flank on a swift counter-attack through Duncan. The Ghanaian then cuts inside and tees up Defrel, who plays a quick one-two with Sansone on the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a shot from 25 yards out, but the Frenchman's strike ends up curling comfortably wide of the near post.
35'
Bonaventura weaves his way down the left flank and cuts into the Sassuolo penalty area before looking to cross, but he holds on to the ball for too long and is dispossessed before he can do so. He's able to win his side a corner, however, and curls it towards the edge of the six-yard box, but Consigli is there to meet it with a strong fist.
33'
Milan work the ball around patiently near to the halfway line as they try to find a way through Sassuolo's compact back line. Alex eventually launches a lofted pass up the pitch, where it finds Bacca midway inside the hosts' half, but the Colombian strays offside and the linesman's flag is quickly raised as a result.
31'
Vrsaljko and Antonelli battle for possession deep down the right wing just outside of the Milan penalty area. The Sassuolo full-back looks to have come out on top after poking the ball away from the left-back, but the referee immediately blows his whistle and awards a free-kick to the visitors, much to the frustration of the Croatian.
29'
Milan immediately try to push forward on a determined attack from the restart, but they're quickly put under pressure by Sassuolo's hard-working midfield and are forced to play the ball all the way back to Donnarumma. That has been the case on many occasions thus far, and it's continually frustrated them.
27'
A. Duncan has scored a goal for Sassuolo! Assist by D. Berardi.
GOAL! What a strike by Duncan! Sassuolo push down the right wing on a patient attack before earning themselves a corner. Instead of launching the ball into the box, Berardi instead rolls it across the floor and towards the edge of the penalty area, where the Ghanaian midfielder is waiting, and he immediately unleashes a rocket of a shot that flies through the sea of players camped in front of him before finding the top right-hand corner of the net. That was absolutely sublime!
Berardi did well to pick out Duncan with a move that obviously came from the training ground, but Milan really should have spotted the Ghanaian earlier and dealt with the danger when they had the chance. Instead, they fell asleep and put him under pressure whatsoever.
25'
The resulting corner quickly leads to a second, which Milan decide to take short and send to Honda. The Japan international is closed down quickly and is unable to whip a cross into the box but works the ball over to Bacca on the opposite flank, but the striker's low cross-cum-shot from the edge of the penalty area is easily saved by Consigli.
23'
Great save by Consigli! Sassuolo fail to fully clear the danger, and Milan quickly come back at the hosts once again. They pass the ball around swiftly just outside of the penalty area before Kucka decides to unleash a rocket of a shot from 25 yards out, but the goalkeeper does well to parry it away with a well-timed diving stop.
22'
Honda is pushed to the ground by Duncan, and once again Milan are awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position, this time on the right wing. However, despite Balotelli's cross being a good one, it fails to find a white shirt, and Magnanelli is easily able to head it away from danger from the penalty spot.
20'
Milan work the ball around wonderfully well just outside of the Sassuolo penalty area as they run rings around the hosts' midfield three. Kucka then pokes a pass into the feet of Bacca, who tries to skip past Acerbi just inside the box before looking to shoot. However, it's the centre-back who comes out on top and dispossesses the striker before sending the ball back to Consigli for the goalkeeper to thump up the field.
18'
After a bright start to the game, Sassuolo are finding it increasingly difficult to penetrate Milan's resolute and well-organised back line. The visitors are doing well to get plenty of bodies behind the ball, which is continually causing problems for the hosts whenever they try to push forward.
16'
Berardi cynically pushes Bertolacci to the ground on the left wing midway inside the Sassuolo half of the pitch and gives away a cheap free-kick. Bonventura swings it towards the edge of the penalty area, where it finds Antonelli, but the full-back's header is wonderfully tipped over the top of the crossbar by Consigli.
14'
The hosts quickly regain possession from Milan shortly after the restart and push forward once again. They work the ball down the right wing before another cross from Vrsaljko causes problems for the visitors' back four, but this time the attack fails to result in a chance on goal as a misplaced pass from Magnanelli bounces harmlessly out of play for a goal-kick.
12'
Sassuolo deal with the corner well and immediately push forward on an attacking move of their own. They work the ball around swiftly before a swinging cross from Vrsaljko isn't dealt with properly by the Milan back line. As a result, Sansone is presented with the opportunity to shoot from the edge of the box, but he ends up curling his strike several yards wide of the far post.
10'
Once again, Sassuolo lose possession in the middle of the pitch and fail to close down Milan quickly enough, allowing the visitors to fly forward on another positive counter-attack. Bacca charges towards the penalty area before deciding to shoot instead of teeing up Balotelli, but his curling strike takes a deflection off the foot of Cannavaro that sends it out of play for a corner.
9'
Another chance for Honda! Sloppy play from Sassuolo results in them losing the ball in the middle of the pitch, and Milan immediately break away on a quick counter-attack. Bacca darts through the centre of the field before teeing up the winger, who is in acres of space on the right-hand side of the penalty area, but his first-time shot is sent straight at Consigli and fails to beat the goalkeeper.
7'
Honda goes close! Bonaventura cuts inside from the left wing and heads towards the edge of the Sassuolo penalty area before unleashing a thumping low strike. Despite being well hit it should be easily dealt with by Consigli, but the goalkeeper ends up spilling the ball into the path of the Japan international, who immediately fires a follow-up that the Italian shot-stopper does well to pounce on.
5'
D. Berardi gets yellow.
Berardi and Bonaventura battle for the ball in the middle of the pitch before the latter is sent crashing to the ground by the former, resulting in another early yellow card, despite the foul not looking to be a particularly bad one.
4'
Sassuolo come back again quickly and win another free-kick inside the Milan half of the pitch, this time due to a clumsy foul by Kucka. It's taken swiftly and sent out to the right flank, where Berardi picks up the ball before firing it into the middle of the penalty area, but Bertolacci is just about able to deal with the danger with a scuffed clearance.
2'
Berardi steps up and unleashes a curling strike from the resulting set-piece, but, despite the power behind it, it fails to beat the wall of white shirts in front of him and ends up bouncing out to the right wing and away from immediate danger.
1'
G. Bonaventura gets yellow.
And we're off! Milan get us underway, attacking from left to right.
Early chance for Sassuolo! Milan quickly lose the ball in the middle of the pitch and the hosts break away on a blisteringly quick counter-attack through Sansone. The forward flies towards the edge of the penalty area before being cynically hauled to the ground by Bonaventura, resulting in a free-kick and a yellow card for the midfielder.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Serie A game between Sassuolo and Milan at the Mapei Stadium.
However, it’s not going to be an easy game for Milan, who may have embarked on an impressive unbeaten run but must now battle against a Sassuolo team that have also looked strong in recent weeks. Today’s hosts sit six points behind their opponents in seventh place and are unbeaten in their last four league games, with the most recent two ending in victories against Empoli and Lazio. Whereas Menez could make the difference for Milan, Sassuolo will no doubt be turning to their own in-form Frenchman in Gregoire Defrel, who found the back of the net four times in as many appearances over the course of a great February for both him and his side. A third consecutive win for the Neroverdi would move them to within three points of the Rossoneri and would keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the Europa League for the first time in their history, a remarkable achievement for a club that made their Serie A debut just three years ago.
Milan narrowly won the last meeting between the two sides back in October thanks to an 86th-minute goal scored by Luiz Adriano, but in recent years the Mapei has proven to be a difficult ground for the Rossoneri. Both of the two previous encounters here have ended in narrow and action-packed wins for Sassuolo (3-2 in 2015 and 4-3 in 2014), with, incredibly, all seven goals being scored by talented youngster Domenico Berardi. The 21-year-old has netted twice in his last two Serie A appearances, and he will be looking to continue that good run of form with another goal here today.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…
Meanwhile, Milan boss Sinisa Mihajlovic has decided to make four alterations to the side that featured in Tuesday’s cup win at home to Alessandria, with Christian Abbiati, Alessio Romagnoli, Andrea Poli and Jeremy Menez making way for Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alex, Andrea Bertolacci and Carlos Bacca, respectively.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: SASSUOLO 1-0 MILAN
It's been a tough opening 45 minutes for Milan, who started brightly but faded quickly as they were put under an increasing amount of pressure by Sassuolo. As a result, the last half an hour has been almost entirely dominated by the hosts, who have looked excellent every time they push forward. Berardi, Defrel and Sansone have thoroughly enjoyed themselves inside the visitors' half of the pitch, and the latter forward has looked particularly bright with the ball at his feet. As a result, they deservedly lead heading into the half-time break, and their opponents will have to make several big changes if they are to have any chance of leaving with at least a point.
After suffering a difficult and disappointing start to the season, Milan are now cruising in the top half of the table and make the two-hour trip south to Sassuolo with a nine-game unbeaten run firmly under their belts. Last weekend’s 1-0 win at home to Torino moved them to within one point of local rivals Inter and, just as importantly, a Europa League qualification spot that they so desperately crave. The Rossoneri followed up that victory with a 5-0 thrashing of Alessandria in the semi-final of the Coppa Italia during the week, a game that saw striker Jeremy Menez mark his return to the starting line-up with two goals, his first since the start of May due to a lengthy period out through injury. The Frenchman, who is set to start on the substitutes’ bench, could play an important role here today as he aims to help propel his side to a third win in their last four Serie A games, one that would temporarily move them up to fifth place in the table and could keep them there if the Nerazzurri slip up against Palermo this evening.
Eusebio Di Francesco has decided to make just one change to the Sassuolo side that started the victory against Lazio last weekend, with Simone Missiroli coming into the starting line-up to replace Davide Biondini as part of a midfield three.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: SASSUOLO 2-0 MILAN
The referee blows his whistle for the final time and the home fans erupt into raucous celebration! It's been an excellent afternoon for Sassuolo, who did exactly what was required of them and were comfortably able to see off a disappointing Milan side, who never quite managed to take their performance to the levels that they have achieved in recent weeks. As a result, their 12-game unbeaten run (nine of which have come in the league) finally comes to an end, and with it their chances of playing in the Europa League next season have taken a huge hit.
As for Sassuolo, their impressive run goes on and they have now won their last three Serie A games in a row thanks to today's wonderful victory. It keeps them in seventh place but moves them just three points behind Milan ahead of what is sure to be a very tough clash against Juventus on Friday evening. The Rossoneri, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back against Chievo in their next league outing.
Commentary
More…