AC MILAN v SASSUOLO: MATCH PREVIEW

Back on home turf. The Rossoneri are set to take to the San Siro pitch as they look to return to winning ways and put a difficult January behind them. Today’s opponents are Sassuolo, which brings back both sweet and somewhat bitter memories: the Scudetto triumph on 22 May 2022, but also last season’s 3-1 home defeat and the 0-0 stalemate at the end of August. In front of their home crowd, Pioli’s men want to pick up three points to put an end to a run that has seen them go five matches without victory in all competitions. This is our preview of the 12:30 CET kick-off.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
After the away defeat to Lazio, the Rossoneri immediately resumed training on Wednesday. The team are going through a difficult spell in terms of results and will have to make do without the suspended Bennacer and the injured Tomori against the Neroverdi. However, in more positive news, Theo Hernández, who missed the match at the Olimpico, and Davide Calabria, who came off with a knock against the Biancocelesti, will be at Coach Pioli’s disposal. This also applies to Rade Krunić, who was named on the bench in Rome and is in contention to start in Bennacer’s place, and Fodè Ballo-Touré, who has recovered from his shoulder operation at the start of the month.

“We need positive results to regain enthusiasm; talking is of little use,” said Stefano Pioli on the eve of the game. “We’ve prepared well and will give everything to return to winning ways. Even a gritty win where we show character would do us good. We need to be self-aware and clinical team.”

LATEST FROM SASSUOLO
Alessio Dionisi’s team are missing two key players: goalkeeper Andrea Consigli and attacker Andrea Pinamonti. The Neroverdi finally added to their points tally in the league on Sunday with an away draw against Monza, putting an end to a four-game losing streak. Brazilian full-back Rogerio is set to return on the left flank for Sassuolo, who, like AC Milan, are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Dionisi spoke on the eve of the match: "We have improved but we are not yet the finished article. We need consistency and the right mentality, we are playing the Italian champions, they are at home and they are struggling a bit like us. Whoever has the best attitude will come out on top."

LATEST FROM SERIE A
The man in the middle for the San Siro clash will be Antonio Giua, who is set to take charge of his 37th Serie A match. Rossi and Perrotti will be his assistants, while Marchetti will perform the role of fourth official. Banti, assisted by Dionisi, will oversee VAR. It will be the second time Giua has refereed the Rossoneri after previously taking charge of AC Milan 2-0 Salernitana on 4 December 2021. As for Sassuolo, the Sardinian has officiated four Neroverdi encounters (one win, one draw and two defeats).

Matchday 20 in Serie A kicked off with Bologna 2-0 Spezia and Lecce 1-2 Salernitana on Friday. Yesterday, meanwhile, saw three further matches take place: Empoli 2-2 Torino, Cremonese 1-2 Inter and Atalanta 2-0 Sampdoria. On Sunday, in addition to AC Milan v Sassuolo at 12:30 CET, the following games will be played: Juventus v Monza (15:00 CET), Lazio v Fiorentina (18:00 CET) and Napoli v Roma (20:45 CET). The latest round of fixtures will conclude with Udinese v Hellas Verona at 20:45 CET on Monday 30 January.

This is the current Serie A table: Napoli 50; Inter* 40; Atalanta* and AC Milan 38; Lazio and Roma 37; Udinese 28; Torino* 27; Bologna* and Empoli* 26; Juventus, Fiorentina 23; Monza 22; Salernitana* 21; Lecce 20*; Spezia* 18; Sassuolo 17; Hellas Verona 12; Sampdoria* 9; Cremonese* 8. (* one more game played)

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