Sassuolo – Milan Serie A Week 35
The week 34 0-0 time versus Juventus was almost universally accepted to be dull and boring. It didn’t help that three days later a Champions League had an all action 5-4 score (semifinal first leg featuring PSG and Bayern Munich). The two games are being used to contrast Italy’s football nadir with other clubs and countries across Europe. The Juventus match was indeed devoid of major exciting moments with both teams seemingly dialing it back and chances often looked and felt wasted. On Milan’s side the Leao narrative was helped again by another half hearted looking performance. The reaction played a part in the player deactivating his Instagram account.
The offence has simply deserted this team. The tactics, formation and personnel available is just not working and Milan will finish the season hopefully and probably having done just enough for a Champions League place top four.
Modric’s collision with Manuel Locatelli has added another set of questions for the final four games of the season. Modric fractured his cheekbone and it has required season ending surgery. Jashari, the man who spent the first part of the season injured and then struggled for minutes is primed to get a four match audition to see if his €36 million transfer from Club Brugge has the potential to be worth it sooner rather than later. The rest of the midfield five may need more tweaking as Bartesaghi has shown to be less than ready defensively. The young Italian was subbed off at half time of the Juventus match because Francisco Conceicao threatened Milan’s goal more than once and easier than he should have. Estupinan may get the start in a bid to do better versus Domenico Berardi and other Sassuolo attackers.
The back three should remain consistent and the front two may remain Leao and Pulisic as well. Some reports claim Nkunku may get a start but Allegri may keep faith with the same two for reason that is simply a lack of guarantees.
Fabio Grosso’s Sassuolo sit at exactly the midtable position with not a whole lot to play for. The team features Canadian international Ismael Kone who only this February became a permanent Neroverdi player from Marseille but is now being linked to Milan.