Considering how poor AC Milan had been playing up until their match against 18th place Sassuolo, so it presented the perfect opportunity to start gaining ground on the top five in Serie A.
Considering that the Rossoneri were eight points above the relegation zone and 17 behind third place Napoli, it was vital that they beat the Neroverdi to gain confidence. Their defence was expected to get an easy match, as the 2012/13 Serie B champions hadn’t scored in four straight matches.
New signing Keisuke Honda was on the bench, and young starlet Bryan Cristante started in midfield. Nothing was expected to go wrong for the struggling Diavolo.
They got off to a great start when the 18-year-old Cristante and Nigel De Jong broke up play immediately after losing possession. The latter found Robinho making a run into the box, the Brazilian received it, and finished calmly past Gianluca Pegolo for the opening goal.
Four minutes later, the lead doubled. Cristante was once again the focal point. He crossed the ball right to the feet of Mario Balotelli, who made no mistake from point blank range. After 13 minutes, it was 2-0. Sassuolo were sinking without a trace.
That was until the game resumed. Jasmin Kurtic slowed down his forward burst, picked out Domenico Berardi, who exhibited a brilliant first touch, then finished with complete composure to give the Neroverdi some life.
Just before the half hour mark, they pulled level. Berardi was the scorer once again. He was causing Daniele Bonera all kinds of problems throughout the first half, it finally paid off. He managed to fend off the defender, then half volleyed the ball whilst falling, and scored inside the near post, catching Christian Abbiati by surprise.
The comeback was complete in the 41st minute. Guess who? It was Berardi again, grabbing his hat-trick. Alessandro Longhi provided the long cross, which ended up at the foot of the 19-year-old striker, which found its way past Abbiati. Nearly 30 minutes prior, Sassuolo appeared to be down in the dumps.
As the second half began, many expected Milan to peg the hosts again and attain at least a draw. That wasn’t the case. In fact, Berardi became the first 19-year-old since 1994/95 to score four goals in a single Serie A match. He was also the first to accomplish that feat against AC Milan. If many wondered if he has a future with Juventus, his parent club, their questions were answered on Sunday.
As for Milan, that loss led to the sacking of Massimiliano Allegri on Monday. Clarence Seedorf announced his retirement 24 hours later and his subsequent decision to coach the Rossoneri, which has been reported for about a year. Now it’s a reality, as he’s been given the task of saving this club from disaster.
Watch the highlights here:
Livorno 0-3 Parma; Bologna 0-0 Lazio; Atalanta 2-1 Catania
Experiencing a live football match in a stadium is genuinely remarkable. The atmosphere differs significantly from watching on a screen. The energy and excitement are contagious, immersing you in the game like never before. If you're gearing up for your inaugural football match, knowing what to expect is essential. The sheer intensity of being surrounded by hundreds or thousands of passionate fans can be overwhelming. To ensure you make the most of this unique experience, here are some tips for first-timers: Secure Tickets Early Getting tickets is crucial, especially for popular events like the World Cup or highly anticipated matches. Buying online is often the most convenient method. As the season progresses, ticket demand increases, leading to quick sell-outs. Prices can vary based on team popularity, stadium quality, and other factors. You can think about buying your tickets in cryptocurrency. Consider using USDT but first understand tether meaning to know how to go about it. If you have a specific team or player you want to see, plan accordingly by checking their schedule and securing tickets early for the best experience. …
FRANCE WIN 14-0 🤯Les Bleus score 14 (FOURTEEN) times vs. Gibraltar for their biggest-ever win.…
Aston Villa are having a very fine season so far in the Premier League. The…
The Premier League run-in, the backend of the title race for Manchester City sees them…
Everton is having a bad season so far, from their poor form in the league…
Communication is the heartbeat of any successful soccer team. On the field, amidst the flurry…