Milan wrap up year with narrow win over Sassuolo to consolidate spot
Stefano Pioli’s side started strongly, with Tijjani Reijnders’ long-range piledriver expertly saved, just seconds before Ismael Bennacer had a goal chalked off for an offside against Olivier Giroud, who had crossed the ball into the box.
The Algerian had another go as the half wore on, wriggling into space outside the area before firing into the side netting, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek clattered high and wide from a similar distance.
The chances continued to come, although Rafael Leao’s desperate 10-game drought in the league went on as his strike was also ruled out for offside.
At the other end, Domenico Berardi had a thunderbolt superbly tipped over the bar by Mike Maignan, who also comfortably caught Nedim Bajrami’s low effort, as the visitors, without a clean sheet in 25 top-flight outings, escaped to the break with the deadlock yet to be broken.
Indeed, Sassuolo had well and truly grown into the game and had another terrific chance to take the lead after half time when Jeremy Toljan cut inside and aimed for the top corner, only to be thwarted by Maignan.
Their hopes of ending their barren run were hit by a sucker-punch when Milan took the lead just before the hour mark though, as Ruan Tressoldi failed to cut out Bennacer’s defence-splitting pass, meaning Pulisic could convert from close range.
Undeterred, Neroverdi’s hunt for an equaliser saw Armand Lauriente surge forward and have a fierce low strike saved. The hosts always looked more likely to find the next goal though, and Alessandro Florenzi was unlucky to see a dipping 25-yard effort drop onto the roof of the net.
That miss mattered not, with Milan registering another San Siro clean sheet as they continue to have the best defensive home record in Serie A, whereas their opponents are dangling precariously above the relegation zone.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ismael Bennacer (AC Milan)
