AC Milan are on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since the 2013-14 season. The club have experienced a long drought of European football but could inch closer to qualification with a win versus Sassuolo on Wednesday night.
The Rossoneri are on 66 points which has them eight points ahead of sixth-placed Lazio. Sassuolo, on the other hand, are eight in the league. They flirted with the European places earlier in the season but fell off the pace for Europe at the midway point.
Twelve points separate Sassuolo and the final Europa League qualification place. Coach Roberto De Zerbi’s team are on a two-game winning streak in the league. The Neroverdi claimed victories over Benevento and Fiorentina outscoring the pair 4-1.
AC Milan are unbeaten in nine straight Serie A games against Sassuolo. Seven of those nine matches ended in wins for the Rossoneri.
The reverse fixture played a the MAPEI Stadium ended 2-1 in favour of AC Milan thanks to goals from Rafael Leao and Alexis Saellemaekers in the first half. Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi pulled a goal back in the 89th minute as a consolation prize.
Stefano Pioli has a nearly full clean bill of health going into matchday 32. Only full-back Davide Calabria is on the injury list. He will miss the fixture due to a meniscus injury. Calabria could be finished for the season.
De Zerbi has two players on the Sassuolo injury list going into the game. Forward Francesco Caputo has a muscle strain that could keep him sidelined for the visit to the San Siro. Meanwhile, Filippo Romagna is nearing a return from a knee injury. He is also a doubt for the game.
AC Milan have dominated fixtures against Sassuolo dating back to 2016-17. It is unlikely that the Rossoneri will lose to the Neroverdi on Tuesday night. Pioli’s team should claim a third straight victory in Serie A and continue their excellent form.
The Rossoneri took 13 points from their last 18 on offer scoring 11 goals and conceding just six times. Sassuolo collected 10 points from the last 18 available with 12 goals for and 10 against. Those 10 goals against are proof of Sassuolo’s defensive issues.
Despite the Neroverdi’s recent wins, they should ultimately fall at the San Siro. Sassuolo’s last win against AC Milan at the San Siro came all the way back in the 2014-15 season. They won’t end their winless trend this week. Expect an AC Milan victory.