Tomori Red Card Sinks Milan as Sassuolo Secures 2-0 Victory

Key facts

• Fikayo Tomori received a second yellow card in the 30th minute, reducing Milan to 10 men for over an hour.
• Domenico Berardi scored his 12th career goal against Milan in the 5th minute.
• Armand Laurienté doubled Sassuolo's lead 90 seconds into the second half.
• Milan have won only two of their last six matches and failed to score in four of their last six games.
• Luka Modric suffered a fractured cheekbone and underwent season-ending surgery.
• Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic, Christopher Nkunku, Santiago Gimenez, and Niclas Füllkrug have gone a combined 2,787 minutes without scoring.

Early Blow and Red Card Define the Match

AC Milan's hopes of closing the gap on Napoli in second place were dashed on Sunday as they fell 2-0 to Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium. The Rossoneri played with 10 men for over an hour after defender Fikayo Tomori received a second yellow card for bringing down Armand Laurienté on a counter-attack. Within five minutes, Domenico Berardi had already punished Milan. Kristian Thorstvedt robbed Ardon Jashari in midfield and quickly moved the ball left to right, allowing Berardi to bend a first-time finish into the far bottom corner with the inside of his left foot. It was Berardi's 12th career goal against Milan, confirming his extraordinary record against the club. Referee Fabio Maresca waved away penalty appeals from both sides, including a handball claim against Berardi and a soft challenge on Laurienté by Matteo Gabbia. Milan's Christopher Nkunku also went down under pressure at the other end, but no spot kick was awarded.

Milan's Attacking Woes Continue

Rafael Leao wasted a golden opportunity to equalize when he blasted wide with only the goalkeeper to beat after a defensive error sent him clear on goal. It was a moment that encapsulated Milan's recent struggles in front of goal. The team have scored only 16 goals since the midway point of the season, the 12th-most in Serie A, and have failed to score in four of their last six league matches. Leao, along with Christian Pulisic, Christopher Nkunku, Santiago Gimenez, and Niclas Füllkrug, have gone a combined 2,787 minutes without scoring. Manager Massimiliano Allegri opted to bench Pulisic in favor of Nkunku, but the change did not yield results. The attacking play has been described as non-existent for about two months, with a drab 0-0 draw against Juventus the previous week serving as a low point.

Sassuolo Capitalize on Numerical Advantage

Sassuolo doubled their lead within 90 seconds of the restart. Laurienté completed a give-and-go with Thorstvedt just inside the area, thumping a low, hard finish into the near bottom corner. The goal effectively sealed the match, as Milan struggled to create chances with a man disadvantage. Sassuolo's Zachary Athekame fired over, while M'Bala Nzola and Thorstvedt failed to keep their efforts on target. Both Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alieu Fadera were booked for simulation in the box. Strahinja Pavlovic made a decisive block on Thorstvedt, and Jay Idzes limped off injured. Alexis Saelemaekers drilled wide for Milan.

Injury and Selection Headlines

Milan entered the match without Luka Modric, whose season ended after surgery for a fractured cheekbone sustained in the Juventus draw. Ardon Jashari stepped into the regista role, with Samuele Ricci also an option. The back four remained unchanged: Mike Maignan, Tomori, Gabbia, and Pavlovic. Pervis Estupinan replaced Davide Bartesaghi at left wing-back. Sassuolo welcomed back Berardi from a two-match ban but were without Darryl Bakola, Fali Cande, Daniel Boloca, and Edoardo Pieragnolo due to injuries. The victory moved Sassuolo to 49 points, solidifying their mid-table position, while Milan remained on 67 points in third place.

Champions League Qualification in Jeopardy

Despite the defeat, Milan still control their destiny for a Champions League spot. With six more points from the remaining 12 available, they can secure a top-four finish. However, the team's form is a concern: they have won only two of their last six matches and have not scored in three of their last four league games. Allegri acknowledged the challenge, warning that Sassuolo cannot be underestimated due to their ability to pounce at the right moments. The loss leaves Milan vulnerable, with Napoli now potentially extending their lead in second place. The Rossoneri must regroup quickly to avoid falling over the finish line rather than surging through it.

Outlook and Stakes

Milan's next matches will be critical in determining whether they secure a Champions League berth. The team's attacking drought, combined with the loss of Modric, raises questions about their ability to score the necessary goals. Allegri may need to find solutions from within the squad or rely on individual brilliance from Leao or Nkunku. Sassuolo, meanwhile, can take confidence from a well-executed game plan that exploited Milan's weaknesses. For the Rossoneri, the margin for error has shrunk. Every point from here on is precious, and the pressure is mounting on Allegri and his players to deliver.