GdS: ‘Newly-promoted taboo’ – how Milan dropped more precious points vs. Sassuolo

AC Milan dropped yet more points at home on Sunday in the early kick-off, failing to see out the game against Sassuolo.

La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) point out a pattern that has emerged: Milan also hosted the third newly-promoted team at San Siro and – as in the two previous cases – they failed to win and conceded two goals.

Against Cremonese, Pisa and Sassuolo, the Rossoneri collected just two points from nine and six goals conceded. It was another setback, with the additional regret of not capitalising on Napoli’s defeat against Udinese.

Massimiliano Allegri’s men could have gone clear at the top and moved three points ahead of Antonio Conte’s side, but instead were overtaken by Chivu’s Inter. Against Juve, Inter, Napoli and Roma, Milan collected ten points from 12, conceding only one goal.

After 15 games, the Rossoneri are this paradox: they struggle against lesser sides, but are great in the six-pointers. Yet, you don’t need Sherlock Holmes to solve the mystery: when the Rossoneri can defend in a low block and break, they excel.

When they have to control a game or attack a low block they struggle, due to a lack of attacking quality, also due to absences and lapses in defensive concentration.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

An early slap

Like against Torino, Milan needed a slap in the face – Koné’s 13th-minute opener – to bring out the best in them. After the second goal from the excellent Davide Bartesaghi to put them ahead early in the second half, and after Pulisic’s unfairly disallowed goal, they retreated.

Allegri chose to replace the American with Samuele Ricci to address Luka Modric’s physiological decline. Sassuolo took advantage of this to improve, with substitute Laurienté equalising inside the final 20 minutes, and they could have won.

Laurienté hit the post, there was another chance for the Frenchman anticipated by Tomori, and Pavlovic’s clumsy challenge could have been a penalty on Cheddira. In summary: the confused Crezzini denied Milan a goal and Sassuolo a penalty.

In the first 15 games, Milan have proven to be better at winning than playing well. That in itself isn’t a bad thing, since a season isn’t a beauty contest but a points race. However, in the long run, it feels like a more sustainable way to control games is needed.

Gabbia’s streak ends

Sassuolo scored two nearly identical goals, with carefully crafted play and the same pivot – Pinamonti – who set up first Koné and then Laurienté. Milan, who played numerous balls into the box and struggled to rely on the disoriented Nkunku, didn’t display the same offensive organisation.

The Emilian side also struggled early, deprived of two key players in Berardi and Laurienté. Unable to play forwards to captain Mimmo and entrust him with directing the attack, long balls were launched that delighted the Rossoneri defence.

Then Matic, a veteran in midfield, took the helm. With the valuable assistance of Koné and Thorstved, he began to tie the play together and bring order to Sassuolo, who took the lead. It was Matic himself who played a forward pass to Pinamonti, who, with a clever touch, freed Koné’s run.

Celebrating a streak of 1,260 minutes without being dribbled past, the longest in the top five leagues, didn’t do Matteo Gabbia any good. Koné dribbled past him and slotted home with finesse. However, a surprise player turned the tide.

Barte’s brace

Franco Baresi was in the stands, cheering as Bartesaghi made history. For the first goal, he bursts in from the left, surprising the sleeping Walukiewicz and finishing at the far post. The second goal is even more beautiful, cutting inside from the wing and finding the net with a precise finish.

Baresi applauds. Leaving aside comparisons with some Milan greats, Bartesaghi has grown so much and has reduced a €19m signing (Estupinan) to being a bench player. In his Christmas letter, he must have asked for an afternoon like this: his first goals in Serie A.

His team-mates sadly didn’t make it the gift of being a winning brace. As mentioned, Milan retreated guiltily, Modric was outmatched by Matic and the Rossoneri defence repeated the mistake they made with the first goal.

Sassuolo dared, pushed, and deserved the equaliser, and perhaps even more. Now Milan are burdened with regrets and are flying to Saudi Arabia this week, where a year ago they won the Supercoppa Italiana with a cigar in their mouth.