Sassuolo 1–1 Milan – two points dropped in Reggio Emilia

AC Milan had to settle for a 1–1 draw away to Sassuolo as Serie A resumed following the international break. The Rossoneri created several good chances and took the lead through Adrien Rabiot in the 63rd minute, but Sassuolo responded just five minutes later when Cas Odenthal equalised from close range. Milan started in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Gonçalo Ramos leading the line and Christian Pulisic operating behind him. The first setback arrived after just 20 minutes, when Matteo Gabbia was forced off and replaced by Koni De Winter. After a slow opening, Milan gradually took control. The Rossoneri created several dangerous chances towards the end of the first half. Rabiot headed over, while Ramos was denied twice in quick succession by Sassuolo goalkeeper Arijanet Murić. Before the break, Murić was also called into action against Diego Moreira and Strahinja Pavlović. Rúben Amorim made a change at half-time, introducing Luka Modrić in place of Pervis Estupiñán. Milan continued to push, with Samuel Chukwueze and Ramos both going close before the breakthrough finally arrived. In the 63rd minute, Modrić found Rabiot, who finished with his left foot to give Milan the lead. It was the French midfielder’s third Serie A goal of the season. However, the advantage lasted only five minutes. Mike Maignan first produced an excellent save to deny Kieron Bowie, but moments later Milan failed to clear the danger inside their own penalty area. Odenthal reacted quickest and made it 1–1 in the 68th minute. Milan tried to respond immediately. Pulisic released Chukwueze into a dangerous position, while substitute Alphadjo Cissé also tried his luck from distance, but neither opportunity produced a second goal. Late on, Sassuolo came closest to finding a winner. Kristian Thorstvedt had the final major chance of the match, but Maignan made an important save to ensure Milan left Reggio Emilia with at least one point. A match Milan should have won For long periods, Milan created the better opportunities, and Rabiot’s opening goal was a deserved reward for their pressure. The main disappointment was the team’s failure to control the match after going ahead. Sassuolo needed only five minutes to equalise, and this was a key point raised by Rúben Amorim after the final whistle. The Milan coach described the result as two points dropped and stressed that his team must learn to maintain the same intensity and control after taking the lead. Milan remain unbeaten in Serie A, but the draw in Reggio Emilia will feel like a missed opportunity after a match in which the Rossoneri created enough chances to take all three points. Reuters reported that the result left Milan on 12 points after six league matches.