Sassuolo vs AC Milan
AC Milan destroyed Sassuolo away from home to clinch the Serie A title after 11 years. Stefano Pioli has led AC Milan to the Scudetto with one of the youngest squads in Serie A.
The title drought is over! AC Milan has won its first Serie A trophy since 2010-11https://t.co/zDKWXO8ypu
— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) May 22, 2022
A resounding 3-0 win against Sassuolo has confirmed that they are Serie A champions while their cross city rivals just missed out on back to back title. A double from Giroud and a goal from Kessie secured a win for AC Milan against Sassuolo.
It's all over. We've done it! 🏆❤️🖤
Ce l'abbiamo fatta! Siamo Campioni 🏆❤️🖤#SassuoloMilan #AlwaysWithYou #SempreMilan@Acqua_Lete pic.twitter.com/Ok2f3dBAiV
— AC Milan (@acmilan) May 22, 2022
What is more commendable is that AC Milan were flawless during the final matches in Serie A. They went on an incredible unbeaten run in the last 5 matches against tough opponents such as Lazio and Atalanta.
AC Milan surrendered majority of the possession to Sassuolo in the game their game plan was clear away from home. They looked to play on the counter and did so to devastating effect. This tactic was clearly deployed by Pioli to avoid losing the game. A lesson he probably learnt earlier in the season when Sassuolo went to the San Siro and came away with a 3-1 win.
#Pioli receives the May COTM award of the #SerieA💎🏆#WeAreCalcio pic.twitter.com/L4gkL4gLDv
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) May 22, 2022
Despite Sassuolo having 55% of possession they only managed to get a solitary shot on target to AC Milan’s ridiculous 11.
Let’s look at the 3 main takeaways from the game between Sassuolo and AC Milan, that secured the title for the Rossoneri.
Giroud the man of the moment
Olivier Giroud handed AC Milan the lead in the 17th minute with a sublime finish on the swivel. Kaan Ayhan miscontrolled on the half way line to give the ball away to Raphael Leao. The Portuguese winger ran into the penalty area where he laid on the perfect chance with a cutback for the predatory Giroud.
⏱️ 17'
GOOOAAAALLLLLL! @_OlivierGiroud_ fires through Consigli's legs after some great work from @RafaeLeao7! 😍#SassuoloMilan 0-1 #SempreMilan @EASPORTSFIFA pic.twitter.com/w96RWq0mog— AC Milan (@acmilan) May 22, 2022
The Frenchman then doubled AC Milan’s advantage with a very similar goal in the 35th minute. Ferrari lost the ball to Leao in his penalty box but was able to force the winger away from goal. But the magic of Leao was something Ferrari could do nothing about. He easily beat his man and burst into the penalty box again to cut the ball back for Giroud who was standing on the penalty spot to calmly put away the ball for his 2nd of the night.
The ultimate big-game player: @_OlivierGiroud_ 🔥#SempreMilan #SassuoloMilan pic.twitter.com/pN4tWWkn0F
— AC Milan (@acmilan) May 22, 2022
Olivier Giroud has made it a habit to score decisive goals for his clubs in his illustrious career. He is an underrated clutch player, a man made for the big occasion.
Leao is a SUPERSTAR!
Raphael Leao has been one of the most impressive players in Serie A this season. After his breakout campaign last year , he has clearly taken another step in his development. His performances have made him a bona fide superstar this season.
Rafael Leao On Who is Idols Are.🤣
Leao's 21/22 Career Stats:
👕4️⃣0️⃣
⚽1️⃣3️⃣
🅰️0️⃣9️⃣#GetSporty #Sportyhumour pic.twitter.com/qDrtHM0RQL— SportyBet Ghana (@sportybetgh) May 12, 2022
He got 3 assists in the first half for AC Milan in this crucial match against Sassuolo. Even Franck Kessie’s goal was assisted by the Portuguese. He cut the ball back for the Ivorian who smashed the ball in with the inside of his foot in the 36th minute to give Milan a 3 goal cushion.
Rafael #Leao in #MilanInter:
8/8 dribbling riusciti (stats leader)
10/11 contrasti vinti (stats leader)Unstoppable! 🏄🏾♂️ #CoppaItalia #CoppaItaliaFrecciaRossa pic.twitter.com/CftRPOqlkq
— Il Calcio Verticale (@calcioverticale) March 1, 2022
This also meant that Franck Kessie will be leaving Italy for Barcelona in style, with a farwell goal and the Scudetto confirmed. Sassuolo just did not know how to stop the AC Milan winger who was ripping their defence apart.
Rafael Leao 21/22 season stats
39 Matches
13 Goals
7 Assists
121 successful dribblesWHAT A PLAYER
(📸: @AC_MilanFR) pic.twitter.com/4YnqEd01KX
— CHAMPIONS OF ITALY (@_InsideMilan) May 4, 2022
Raphael Leao ends the season with 11 goals and 10 assists in the league, his most prolific season yet. His all round attacking displays and his age makes him a future club legend for Milan fans.
Milan are back on top
It took 11 years and major upheaval before AC Milan could even get close to winning the Scudetto. Last year they were unlucky to miss out on the title as Conte’s Inter eventually ran away with the league.
🏆 SIAMO NOI, SIAMO NOI, I CAMPIONI DELL'ITALIA SIAMO NOI! 🇮🇹 🏆#SassuoloMilan #SempreMilan#AlwaysWithYou pic.twitter.com/4tEngKpDzR
— AC Milan (@acmilan) May 22, 2022
But now AC Milan are champions of Serie A yet again! Zlatan and Maldini must be grinning right now because their return sparked the start of the revolution under Pioli at AC Milan.
The last Time AC Milan won The Scudetto was in 2011, when Zlatan Ibrahimovic was their key man.
After over a decade of struggle, AC Milan are on the verge of lifting it again, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic a key figure on and off the pitch.
The perfect end to an incredible career. pic.twitter.com/0PB4apjuxb
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) May 18, 2022
We are going to see AC Milan in the Champions League next season also. Hopefully their storied history in the competition will motivate them to go deeper in the continental tournament. A Scudetto will surely boost their confidence drastically for next season.
