Preview: AC Milan vs Sassuolo – prediction, team news, lineups

With the aim of securing their place in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals, AC Milan Hit the bogey side Sassuolo on Tuesday when the teams meet for the round of 16.

Before the Neroverdi were relegated to Serie B, they surprised Milan more than once at the San Siro and now hope to cause a cup shock.

Game preview

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After being beaten by local rivals Atalanta BC in the quarter-finals last year, Milan continued their disappointing record in the Italian National Cup. Lombardy’s only success in almost half a century came in 2003.

The Rossoneri also fell just short in 2016 and 2018 – losing the final to Juventus on both occasions – but they are aiming for a triumphant end to the season as their European commitments see them enter the round of 16.

After recording their third straight Champions League win with a 3-2 win over Slovan Bratislava in Slovakia last week, Milan are now five points clear of the elimination zone and three points into a playoff spot League phase Take-away games.

Now in Serie A, a Tijjani Reijnders Brace increased his tally to 22 points on Saturday evening, with Alvaro Morata He also got his name on the scoresheet in the confident 3-0 win against Empoli.

Paulo FonsecaThe inconsistent side have therefore kept a clean sheet in their last two home games since losing 2-0 to Napoli at the end of October.

Still behind the top sixMilan’s best hopes for the title could be limited to knockout competitions, so Fonseca and co cannot afford to take Sassuolo’s challenge lightly.

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There have been some spectacular results between the clubs over the last three years, including 3-1 and 5-2 wins for Sassuolo at the San Siro and a thrilling 3-3 draw in the most recent meeting, played towards the end of last season .

The Neroverdi’s stay in the Italian elite has now come to an end as they failed to get to grips with a failing defense and slipped through the trap door to relegation.

The former Lyon coach and 2006 World Cup winner is at the forefront of their bid to get back on their feet Fabio Grosso was hired, and several key players were convinced to stay.

Starman Domenico Berardi is still available in Reggio Emilia after recovering from a serious injury and is also a Norwegian midfielder Kristian Thorstvedt scored in the 2-0 derby win against Reggiana on Friday.

This latest success puts Sassuolo top of Serie B, having lost just one game so far this season – and is on course for a quick return to the top flight.

Grosso’s side beat Cittadella in the opening round of the Coppa Italia before knocking out Serie A strugglers Lecce in round two and can now head to Italy’s second-largest city dreaming of causing an upset.

AC Milan form (all competitions):

Sassuolo Coppa Italia form:

Sassuolo form (all competitions):

Team news

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With fixtures looming until the end of 2024, Milan coach Paulo Fonseca will make numerous changes to his team on Tuesday, including England internationals Fikayo Tomori, Tammy Abraham And Ruben Loftus Cheek everyone is vying to get off the bench.

Teenage sensation Francesco Camarda He is also likely to get some use and the 16-year-old striker will compete with Abraham to replace Alvaro Morata in attack.

Joining long-term absentees Ishmael Bennacer And Alessandro Florenzi on the edge, Luka Jovic recently underwent surgery for a chronic groin problem.

Meanwhile, Sassuolo will be without Josh Doig and central defender Filippo RomagnaThe latter had to leave the pitch midway through the first half on Friday due to a muscle injury; his replacement Cas Odenthal could therefore start in Milan.

Nicholas Pierini or Samuele Mulattieri was supposed to lead the Neroverdi attack, with support from Italian winger Domenico Berardi and the French striker Armand Laurente.

Lauriente scored twice when these teams last met in April, while Berardi scored in both famous victories at San Siro – in 2021 and 2023.

Possible AC Milan starting lineup:
Sportiello; Calabria, Tomori, Pavlovic, Terracciano; Musah, Fofana; Chukwueze, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Abraham

Sassuolo’s possible starting lineup:
Satalino; Paz, Muharemovic, Odenthal, Pieragnolo; Thorstvedt, Boloca, Obiang; Berardi, Mulattieri, Lauriente

We say: AC Milan 2:1 Sassuolo

Sassuolo is likely to cause a few problems for the potentially makeshift Milan in an exciting round of 16 clash – especially given their current form and past successes at the San Siro.

However, Paulo Fonseca has a talented second team to rely on and the Rossoneri should progress to the quarter-finals against Roma or Sampdoria.

To data analyze the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game Please click here.

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