Calhanoglu deceives the Rossoneri with a great goal, then the baby bomber’s brace The race to the Champions League is complicated for the formation of Pioli
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The “small” that beats the “big”. The less famous team that stops that of champions. It is the story of that football defended by the many who lashed out against the Superlega, it is the epilogue of Milan-Sassuolo at San Siro with the neroverdi who – calmly in eighth place in the standings – recover and overturn the result against one of the founding clubs of the European project born and failed within two days. Milan collapses again at home, under a pouring rain, is deluded by Calhanoglu’s great goal, but wastes a lot and, finally, is hit by a Sassuolo invigorated by the changes of the coach De Zerbi: it is the baby bomber Raspadori to change the fate of the match, entering at 18 ‘of the second half and scoring a brace. Milan still lacks the cynicism and killer instict of the great teams, Sassuolo therefore makes the feat and leaves San Siro celebrating. The Rossoneri’s race for the Champions League is now getting complicated, with rivals looming. And next day there is the direct clash against Lazio at the Olimpico, a match to be won in order to continue to hope. Pioli has to quickly solve the problems on offense. Without being able to count on Ibra, injured like Theo and Bennacer, the technician confirms in front of Leao, but it is a choice that still does not pay, even with Rebic in the most advanced position and Calhanoglu on the left. The Turkish midfielder, on the other hand, convinces, he unlocks the game in the 30th minute with a shot at the far post which is a billiard shot. Milan, however, did not close it, Sassuolo ended the first half in growth with a lively Berardi. In the second half Calhanoglu is close to doubling but it is good advice to deflect. De Zerbi, then, turns the inertia with three changes: in Toljan, Traore and Raspadori. Pioli recalls Calhanoglu and Rebic and Milan loses clarity. And it is the young Raspadori who changes the game in just seven minutes: at 32 ‘left free by Kjaer and Calabria he intercepts and beats Donnarumma then at 38’ control, shot and post-goal. Milan will need maximum concentration to get a pass for the Champions League and it was also what was hoped for by Paolo Maldini who, before the kick-off, actually distanced himself from the Rossoneri club and publicly apologized to the fans for the choice of Milan to marry the Superlega project. –