In an exciting clash at San Siro, Davide Bartesaghi made headlines by scoring twice, but Milan could only manage a draw against Sassuolo with a final score of 2-2. The match began with Ismael Koné netting the opener for Sassuolo in the 12th minute, courtesy of a precise pass from Andrea Pinamonti that allowed him to finish from inside the box, stunning goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Milan fought back with Bartesaghi, who found the net in the 33rd minute of the first half, leveling the game. He struck again just one minute after the start of the second half, giving Milan a temporary lead. However, Armand Laurienté equalized for Sassuolo in the 76th minute, ensuring a share of the points.
Sassuolo nearly reclaimed the lead late in the match with a powerful strike from Laurienté that rattled the post in the 87th minute, keeping the tension high until the final whistle.
Both Bartesaghi and Laurienté were standout performers, with the former tallying two goals and the latter scoring once, along with three attempts on goal. Milan’s Luka Modric also produced moments of brilliance, notably a dazzling nutmeg on Ismael Koné in the 26th minute of the first half.
Milan’s coach, Massimiliano Allegri, opted for a tactical 3-5-2 lineup, featuring Mike Maignan in goal, with a back three of Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia, and Strahinja Pavlovic. The midfield included Alexis Saelemaekers, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot, and the two-goal hero Davide Bartesaghi, while Christian Pulisic and Christopher Nkunku led the attack.
Sassuolo, managed by Raffaele Longo, set up in a 4-3-3 formation with Arijanet Muric guarding the net. Their defensive line comprised Sebastian Walukiewicz, Jay Idzes, Tarik Muharemovic, and Fali Candé. In midfield, they had Kristian Thorstvedt, Nemanja Matic, and Ismael Koné, and the attack was spearheaded by Cristian Volpato, Andrea Pinamonti, and Alieu Fadera.
The referee for this encounter was Valerio Crezzini. Following this draw, Milan remains top of the standings with 32 points, while Sassuolo is in ninth place with 21 points.
Substitutions made by Milan
59’ 2T – Matteo Gabbia out for Koni De Winter
72’ 2T – Christian Pulisic out for Samuele Ricci
89’ 2T – Alexis Saelemaekers out for Zachary Athekame
90’ 2T – Davide Bartesaghi out for Pervis Estupiñán
Yellow cards for Milan
22’ 1T Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Unsporting behavior)
Substitutions made by Sassuolo
58’ 2T – Alieu Fadera out for Armand Laurienté and Fali Candé out for Josh Doig
85’ 2T – Andrea Pinamonti out for Walid Cheddira and Cristian Volpato out for Luca Moro
Yellow cards for Sassuolo
22’ 1T Alieu Fadera (Unsporting behavior), 13’ 2T Tarik Muharemovic (Unsporting behavior), and 20’ 2T Kristian Thorstvedt (Unsporting behavior)
Milan will next face Como 1907, while Sassuolo will play at home against Torino.