Allegri Shuffles Attack as AC Milan’s Goals Dry Up Ahead of Sassuolo Clash

Key facts

• AC Milan have scored only one goal in the last four Serie A matches.
• The last goal was scored by midfielder Adrien Rabiot against Hellas Verona.
• Milan’s goal average has fallen from 1.64 per game in the first 25 games to 0.78 per game in the last nine.
• Massimiliano Allegri will start Christopher Nkunku over Christian Pulisic against Sassuolo.
• Christian Pulisic has not scored since December 28.
• Milan sit third in Serie A with four games remaining, six points ahead of fifth-placed Como and Roma.
• Sassuolo are 11th and have lost only two of the last eight league meetings with Milan.
• Milan have kept back-to-back clean sheets, reaching 15 shutouts this season, the most at this stage since 2012.

A Top-Four Battle Intensifies as Goals Evaporate

AC Milan travel to Sassuolo on Sunday afternoon needing points to secure a top-four finish, but a worsening goal drought has raised alarms. After a goalless draw with Juventus last weekend, the Rossoneri have scored just once in their last four Serie A outings, with that solitary goal coming from midfielder Adrien Rabiot against Hellas Verona. The decline in front of goal has been stark. Over the first 25 league games, Milan averaged 1.64 goals per match; in the last nine, that figure has plummeted to 0.78. The team’s strikers have gone completely blank during this stretch, and star attackers Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic have seen worrying drops in form.

Allegri Drops Pulisic, Turns to Nkunku

In an attempt to break the drought, manager Massimiliano Allegri is expected to field Christopher Nkunku alongside Rafael Leao on Sunday, replacing Christian Pulisic. Pulisic, who was a key figure in the first half of the season, has started the last three games without success and has not scored since December 28. Nkunku, whose last goal came at the start of February, has also struggled, but the hope is that the change will inject unpredictability into Milan’s attack. The tactical shift comes under Allegri’s pragmatic approach, which has seen Milan average 13.3 shots per game — their second-lowest in any campaign over the last 20 Serie A seasons. The team’s shot volume and efficiency have both declined, compounding the scoring crisis.

Defensive Solidity Offers a Silver Lining

Despite the offensive woes, Milan have tightened up at the back. Back-to-back clean sheets have brought their seasonal tally to 15 from 34 games, the most at this stage since 2012 — during Allegri’s first spell in charge. This defensive resilience has helped them stay in the top-four race, even as their distant Scudetto dreams faded after the draw with Juventus. Milan currently sit third in Serie A with four games remaining, six points ahead of fifth-placed Como and Roma, who are pressing for a Champions League spot. The Rossoneri must now try to “limp over the line,” as one observer put it, seeing off the late challenge from the chasing pack.

Sassuolo in Strong Form, Targeting Top Half

Sassuolo, last season’s Serie B champions, have already secured their top-flight status and are enjoying a strong run. They have taken 23 points from their last 13 matches — a haul that would rank fifth over that period — and sit 11th in the table. After a 0-0 draw with Fiorentina, they are aiming for a top-half finish. The Emilian club have also proven a tricky opponent for Milan in recent meetings. While the Rossoneri are undefeated in eight away games against Sassuolo, winning six times at the Mapei Stadium over the past decade, the hosts have lost only two of the last eight league encounters. In December’s reverse fixture, Sassuolo fought back for a 2-2 draw, and they now have the freedom to play without pressure.

Historical Trends and the Road Ahead

Milan’s recent record against Sassuolo offers some comfort: they have not lost away to this opponent in eight visits. However, the broader trend is concerning. With four games left, Allegri’s men must balance the need for points with the imperative to rediscover their scoring touch. The Champions League qualification battle remains tight, and any further slip-ups could prove costly. The decision to bench Pulisic and start Nkunku is a clear signal that Allegri is willing to make bold changes. Whether this gamble pays off will be tested on Sunday afternoon at the Mapei Stadium, where Milan will face a Sassuolo side playing with confidence and ambition.

A Defining Moment for Allegri’s Pragmatism

Milan’s season now hinges on their ability to marry defensive solidity with a renewed attacking threat. The statistics are unforgiving: a goal average of 0.78 over the last nine games is unsustainable for a club chasing Champions League football. Allegri, who returned to the club this season, has built his reputation on pragmatic, results-oriented football, but the current drought tests the limits of that approach. Sunday’s match against Sassuolo is more than a routine fixture; it is a litmus test for whether Milan can arrest their decline and secure the top-four finish that seemed assured just weeks ago. With the chasing pack closing in, every point — and every goal — matters.

The bottom line

• AC Milan have scored only one goal in their last four Serie A games, with strikers failing to find the net.
• Massimiliano Allegri is replacing Christian Pulisic with Christopher Nkunku in an attempt to revive the attack.
• Milan’s goal average has dropped from 1.64 per game in the first 25 matches to 0.78 in the last nine.
• The Rossoneri sit third, six points ahead of fifth-placed Como and Roma, with four games left.
• Sassuolo are 11th and have lost only two of the last eight meetings with Milan, posing a credible threat.
• Milan have kept 15 clean sheets this season, their most at this stage since 2012.