Serie A 26/27 · Round 6 ·
Sassuolo Calcio vs AC Milan preview: Sassuolo host Milan with both attacks carrying late-match threat
Sassuolo and Milan meet at the Mapei Stadium - Citta del Tricolore with the visitors arriving as the market's clear favourite at 52%. The single most important finding is how heavily both attacks lean on the final half hour, which shapes the likely flow of this match.
By 10xSharp · Published
This preview was published before kickoff. The match has finished: see the result and full stats. Read the match report.
Who is missing
Sassuolo's unavailable list is long, with eight players ruled out through injury. Cristian Volpato, who is unavailable, has scored 1 goal, 11% of the side's goals in this competition. Milan's list is shorter, with Pervis Estupinan and Alexis Saelemaekers both out through injury.
Key attacking figures
Vasilije Adzic leads Sassuolo with 3 goals in 5 matches, a 33% share of their goals in this competition. Diego Moreira has matched that tally for Milan, scoring 3 in 3 matches for a 30% share. Adrien Rabiot adds 2 goals and 2 assists for Milan, while Alphadjo Cisse has 2 goals in 4 matches.
Who arrives in better shape
Milan arrive in better form, taking 11 points from their last five league matches versus 7 for Sassuolo. Milan are unbeaten in that run with three wins and two draws, while Sassuolo have won two, drawn one and lost two. Sassuolo are unbeaten in their last four home matches, and Milan are unbeaten in their last three away matches.
Where they sit
Milan sit 5th with 11 points from five matches, while Sassuolo are 10th with 7 points. At home, Sassuolo have won both matches with a goal difference of 2. Milan have won one and drawn two of their three away matches, with a goal difference of 1.
Recent meetings
Across the last 10 meetings, Sassuolo have won 4 times, Milan 3 times, with 3 draws. The goal difference is 19-18 in favour of Milan. Milan have had the edge recently, winning 2 of the last 5 meetings, with Sassuolo winning 1 and 2 draws.
Who carries the greater threat
Sassuolo hold a clear attacking edge at home, scoring 2.5 goals per match across 2 home matches, better than the league average for a home side at home. Milan score 1.7 goals per match across 3 away matches, also better than the league average for an away side on the road. Sassuolo's edge is clear, though the sample is small.
Who is more solid
Milan hold a clear defensive edge, conceding 1.3 goals per match across 3 away matches, better than the league average conceded by an away side on the road. Sassuolo concede 1.5 per match across 2 home matches, marginally worse than the league average conceded by a home side at home.
Who works the keeper harder
Sassuolo average 6.8 shots on goal per match, well above Milan's 4.2. Milan see fewer of their shots blocked, averaging 3.0 blocked shots per match to Sassuolo's 4.6.
When the goals arrive
Sassuolo are most dangerous in the final 15 minutes, scoring 44% of their goals between minutes 76-90. Milan's peak is earlier, with 80% of their goals coming between minutes 61-75. Both teams are second-half scorers, with Sassuolo scoring 78% of their goals after the break and Milan 90%.
The season goal environment
Sassuolo's matches have been high-scoring, with 100% of their matches going over 2.5 goals this season. Milan's matches have been tighter, with 60% going over 2.5 goals. Both teams have failed to score in 0% of their matches this season.
How this match shapes up
Milan arrive as the market's clear favourite, unbeaten in their last five league matches and holding a clear defensive edge on the road. Sassuolo's home attack is potent, but their defensive record is marginal. Expect a match that opens up late, with both attacks carrying their main threat after the hour mark.