01-11-2014, 04:22 AM
I'm going to just copy and paste the football italia preview for now since I don't have much time and the match is in two days! Let's hope we can build off our win vs Atalanta and continue it with a win vs Sassuolo. Balo should be over his sickness and Montolivo should also be good to go for Sunday. Sassuolo has been in terrible form as of late as can be seen in the attached article.
Quote:Two struggling sides square off on Sunday when relegation battlers Sassuolo welcome disappointing Milan to the Mapei Stadium.
Coach Eusebio Di Francesco is in serious danger of losing his job after Sassuolo have lost four straight matches. The club currently sit third from the bottom of Serie A on 14 points. While the distance between relegation and safety is still very small, the Neroverdi have looked increasingly lost. The offence has been nonexistent while the defence has been porous. During the losing streak, Sassuolo have not scored a single goal while conceding eight.
Something has to change and quickly if Di Francesco is to keep his job. As such, it is expected that new arrival from Cagliari Lorenzo Ariaudo will immediately slot into the Sassuolo back-line.
Meanwhile, Milan have had an uncharacteristically disastrous campaign. Coach Massimiliano Allegri has been under fire nearly all season long as the Rossoneri have sputtered along, sitting anonymously mid-table.
A perennial Scudetto contender, Milan’s hopes for such a finish have long been set aside as the club currently trails leaders Juventus by 27 points. In fact, it’ll take an impressive second half if Milan are to earn a spot in Europe altogether, much less the Champions League.
The Rossoneri come into the match with some momentum after a 3-0 win over Atalanta last weekend. Furthermore, Milan bolstered their squad by signing Japanese star Keisuke Honda. After taking part in training this week, the new No 10 could feature for his new club this weekend. Those two things could give Milan a much needed psychological boost when they face Sassuolo, hoping to continue their climb up the League table.
Sassuolo will be without defenders Emanuele Terranova, lost for the season with a torn ACL, Francesco Acerbi and strikers Marius Alexe and Gaetano Masucci due to injury. Defender Paolo Bianco is suspended for the match.
Milan will be without striker Stephan El Shaarawy, midfielder Valter Birsa and defenders Ignazio Abate and Kevin Constant due to injury. Sulley Muntari continues to serve a suspension.
Keep an eye on: Keisuke Honda (Milan) – The Japanese star has finally arrived at Milan and has already taken part in training. While it remains to be seen whether or not he starts, the talented No 10 is expected to make his Serie A debut at some point on Sunday.
Form Guide: Sassuolo (D L L L L) Milan (W D D L W)
Last season: Not played
Stat fact: Sassuolo and Milan have never faced each other in an official match.
Sassuolo (probable): Pegolo; Antei, Ariaudo, Marzorati; Gazzola, Magnanelli, Marrone, Longhi; Berardi, Zaza, Ziegler
Milan (probable): Abbiati; De Sciglio, Bonera, Zapata, Emanuelson; Montolivo, De Jong, Poli; Kaka, Robinho; Balotelli
Siamo a posto cosi.