Sassuolo are AC Milan's kryptonite: Brave visitors ruin Rossoneri's gem's stellar match

AC Milan struggled against sturdy Sassuolo, were unlucky, as VAR deprived them of two second-half goals, and eventually failed to win, jeopardizing their leading Serie A position - 2-2.

The Rossoneri made a comeback after Ismael Kone's early lead for Sassuolo, with Davide Bartesaghi scoring his maiden two goals for his boyhood club and paving the way to Milan's victory, but alas...

Massimiliano Allegri's men got lost, went off the route, and fell short, as Armand Lauriente stunned the packed San Siro in the 77th minute, stealing a point from the favourites.

Even if the packed San Siro expected their lads to brush aside the visitors from Emilia-Romagna easily, they were shortly convinced otherwise.

After a slow beginning and mild ten minutes, Sassuolo broke the deadlock 13 minutes into the game. A three-move action of Nemanja Matic, Andrea Pinamonti, and Ismael Kone was finished with the Canadian's opener, stunning the home crowd.

Yet, it didn't take much for the Rossoneri to recover from the initial shock. In the 29th minute, Sassuolo's Alieu Fadera was reckless near his own box, Adrien Rabiot stole the ball but failed to overcome the final obstacle, as the keeper Arijanet Muric anticipated his intention and made a superb stop.

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Nevertheless, that opportunity turned out to be an introduction to Milan's leveller. Five minutes later, in the midst of the Rossoneri's offence, Ruben Loftus-Cheek crossed the ball from the right-hand side to the far post, finding the 19-year-old Davide Bartesaghi, who equalized and scored his maiden goal for the club.

Massimiliano Allegri's men put immense pressure on the rivals, but failed to complete a comeback before the break.

However, just 63 seconds after the first referee's whistle in the second half, the Rossoneri's youngster doubled his tally, putting his boyhood club in front! This time, Christopher Nkunku set him up the goal, and he finished the attack in the style of a top-notch striker.

Ten minutes later, Milan netted for the third time, only this time, the goal didn't stand. Christian Pulisic tapped in a rebound, but the previous foul deprived the American of his eighth Serie A goal. Shortly after, Sassuolo threatened over Kristian Thorstvedt, but Mike Maignan stepped up and kept his team in front.

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In the 68th minute, VAR deprived Rabiot of a goal for offside, and all those "unfortunate events" were punished in the 77th minute. Sassuolo created a fantastic set-piece action Pinamonti recorded another assists, and Armand Lauriente stunned the Milan giants, making it 2-2!

In the final ten minutes, the visitors were closer to the eventual winner than confused Milan, as Lauriente hit the post, but this point will also be huge for Fabio Grosso's team, which is now ninth. On the other hand, the Rossoneri's position will depend on Napoli and Inter's results.

SERIE A - ROUND 15

Friday

Lecce - Pisa 1-0 (0-0)

/Stulic 72/

Saturday

Torino - Cremonese 1-0 (1-0)

/Vlasic 27/

Parma - Lazio 0-1 (0-0)

/Noslin 82/

Atalanta - Cagliari 2-1 (1-0)

/Scamacca 11, 81 - Gaetano 75/

Sunday

AC Milan - Sassuolo 2-2 (1-1)

/Bartesaghi 34, 47 - Kone 13, Lauriente 77/

17.00: (1.90) Fiorentina (3.50) Verona (4.60)

17.00: (4.70) Udinese (3.50) Napoli (1.90)

20.00: (6.50) Genoa (4.20) Inter (1.53)

22.45: (3.00) Bologna (3.25) Juventus (2.60)

Monday

22.45: (2.15) Roma (3.30) Como (3.50)

*** odds are subject to change ***