SASSUOLO v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW

In just a matter of hours, the 2021/22 Serie A season will be over. How it finishes at the top depends on the outcome of Sassuolo v AC Milan. The Rossoneri are playing for the Scudetto title at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, with kick-off for this truly decisive showdown scheduled for 18:00 CEST. There’s anticipation, there’s tension, there’s excitement. But what lies in store on matchday 38? As we wait to find out, our Match Preview provides the lowdown on today’s game.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
Not only did the Rossoneri beat Atalanta, those walking the suspension tightrope also avoided bookings. As a result, apart from Kjær, Stefano Pioli has a full squad to pick from. Once again, with the exception of Leão, there are question marks over who will start behind the striker. The team resumed training on Tuesday and have paid close attention to possession, finishing and tactics at Milanello this week. Yesterday, with Rossoneri fans cheering them on, the team departed for Reggio Emilia, where, after a big wait, they’ll take to the pitch today. AC Milan sit top of the league on 83 points, and they need just a point to be crowned Champions of Italy for the 19th time.

"As usual, we’ve prepared for the game by working hard and remaining focused and calm. We deserve this great chance," said Coach Pioli on the eve of the game. "Now, we need to finish things off in the best way possible. We have to play like an AC Milan side should and certainly not think that it’ll be easy. In addition to having a spirit of sacrifice, a way of playing and passion, we need to display enthusiasm."

LATEST FROM SASSUOLO
The Neroverdi, who have 50 points to their name, come into the game on the back of a 3-1 win in Bologna and are looking to secure a top ten finish. They’ve had a solid season, with their wins away to AC Milan, Inter and Juventus being particularly noteworthy. Dionisi has no major absences to deal with and, like Pioli, is set to send his team out in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Consigli is an experienced figure between the sticks, Ferrari leads in defence and Frattesi adds substance in midfield. However, Sassuolo’s biggest strength lies in their high-quality and dangerous attacking department: from Berardi and Scamacca through to Raspadori and Traorè, the Rossoneri will need to be on high alert.

PRE-MATCH
Sassuolo have never been easy opponents to face, with the Neroverdi initially picking up some excellent results against AC Milan following their promotion to Serie A. The Rossoneri have, over the years, gained the upper hand in the head-to-head record, but the Emilians won both of their games against the Diavolo in 2021 (the return match in 2020/21 and reverse fixture this campaign). These victories came at San Siro, however, with the Rossoneri having done well at the Mapei Stadium in recent times. In general, AC Milan’s numbers on the road should give the team confidence. The last meeting between the sides in Reggio Emilia saw Leão and Saelemaekers get on the scoresheet in a 2-1 win in December 2020. This was the last time the Rossoneri beat the Neroverdi. Now, there’s plenty of motivation and desire to do so again.

LATEST FROM SERIE A
Daniele Doveri will take charge of Sassuolo v AC Milan. His team of officials will include Bindoni and Imperiale as the linesmen and Piccinini as the fourth official. Aureliano - assisted by Mariani - will oversee VAR. The experienced referee is set to officiate his 196th Serie A fixture. So far, he’s refereed 25 games involving the Rossoneri (including the recent 3-1 victory in Verona thanks to a Tonali brace and a goal from Florenzi) and 15 Neroverdi matches (none this season, however).

Matchday 38 in Serie A began on Friday with Torino 0-3 Roma. Yesterday, the last round of fixtures continued with Genoa 0-1 Bologna and, in the fight to determine the final European positions, Fiorentina 2-0 Juventus, Atalanta 0-1 Empoli and Lazio 3-3 Hellas Verona. Today, after Spezia v Napoli at 12:30 CEST, all will be decided at both ends of the table. The Scudetto winner will be crowned after Sassuolo v AC Milan and Inter v Sampdoria (the two matches are kicking off at the same time), while the relegation battle will come to an end with Venezia v Cagliari and Salernitana v Udinese later on in the evening (both games are scheduled for 21:00 CEST).

This is the current league table: AC Milan 83; Inter 81; Napoli 76; Juventus 70*; Lazio* 64; Roma* 63; Fiorentina* 62; Atalanta* 59; Hellas Verona* 53; Torino* and Sassuolo 50; Bologna* 46; Udinese 44; Empoli* 41; Spezia and Sampdoria* 36; Salernitana 31; Cagliari 29; Genoa 28*; Venezia 26. (* = one game more) 

The AC Milan 2022/23 season tickets are now available: #UnaStoriaUnica, see you at San Siro!