GOALLESS AT THE MAPEI STADIUM

AC Milan were held for the first time this season as it ended goalless against Sassuolo in Reggio Emilia on Serie A matchday 4. Truth be told, 0-0 is the right result from a game that was left wanting for goalmouth action, which the most excitement coming from Maignan's stunning first-half penalty save to deny Berardi. The second half was again largely devoid of any real excitement, with the Rossoneri defending well but struggling going forward.

A real positive note was Simon Kjær making his first start in almost nine months; the Dane played for 79 minutes and didn't put a foot wrong. Though overall, it was a game without much go-forward ball, but the Rossoneri mustn't let their heads drop as September will be a month packed with big games. The first of which is no less than the derby this Saturday at 18:00 CEST. Forza Milan!

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM SASSUOLO v AC MILAN

REPORT
Coach Pioli made several changes with Florenzi, Kjær, Pobega and Saelemaekers all getting their first starts of the season. The Rossoneri started off on the front foot with Pobega having the first chance of the game after eight minutes from a tight angle that tested Consigli. Soon after, both Leão and Díaz looked dangerous as the Rossoneri dominated proceedings. The first major talking point of the game though came on the 20 minute mark with a foul by Saelemaekers on Kyriakopoulos in the area that resulted in a penalty for Sassuolo. Berardi’s spot-kick was saved by Maignan who pushed away the Azzurri striker’s attempt. The rest of the half drifted away and saw the Neroverdi more incisive, but in the closing moments a counter-attack by Díaz-Giroud looked promising but it failed to trouble Consigli.

AC Milan again started the half the better of the two teams but apart from Lopez’s interception from Giroud, there was little action in the opening 15 minutes. A few substitute changes made some impact with Messias in particular looking dangerous on the right-hand side. One of the moments by Junior arrived after 70 minutes playing Leão into a good position, but his attempt was well-anticipated by Erlić. Sassuolo’s covering and breaking up of various plays made the pace of the game up and down in the last quarter. The Rossoneri finished the game with ten men after Florenzi was forced to go off due to an injury, as all the subs had been used previously. Deep into stoppage-time, possibly the best chance of the game fell to Leão but his shot from the edge of the area was well-saved by Consigli. It ended 0-0.

MATCH DETAILS

SASSUOLO 0-0 AC MILAN

SASSUOLO (4-3-3): Consigli; Toljan, Erlić, Ferrari, Rogério; Frattesi (69' Harroui), M. Lopez, Thorstvedt (69' Henrique); Berardi (52' Defrel), Pinamonti (84' Álvarez), Kyriakopoulos (84' Marchizza). Subs.: Pegolo, Russo; Ayhan, Tressoldi; Obiang; D'Andrea. Coach: Dionisi.

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Florenzi, Kjær (80' Kalulu), Tomori, Hernández; Pobega (57' Tonali), Bennacer; Saelemaekers (57' Messias), Díaz (57' De Ketelaere), Leão; Giroud (73' Adli). Subs.: Mirante, Tătăruşanu; Ballo-Touré, Calabria, Gabbia; Bakayoko. Coach: Pioli.

Referee: Giovanni Ayroldi from Molfetta.
Booked: 27' Hernández (M), 43' Saelemaekers (M), 64' Frattesi (S), 72' M. Lopez (S), 76' Ferrari (S), 86' Defrel (S), 97' Álvarez (S).
Notes: 21' Maignan (M) saves Berardi's (S) penalty.

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