AC Milan faced a setback in their Serie A title ambitions, settling for a 2-2 draw at home against Sassuolo on March 3, 2024. Despite the draw, the Rossoneri benefitted from Napoli’s 1-0 loss to Udinese, allowing them to temporarily assume the top position in the league standings, one point ahead of their rivals. Inter Milan now has the opportunity to leapfrog both teams if they secure a win against lowly Genoa later in the day.
Sassuolo struck first at the iconic San Siro, taking the lead in the 13th minute. After winning the ball from a Milan throw-in, Andrea Pinamonti assisted Ismaël Koné, who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Milan responded in the 34th minute when Ruben Loftus-Cheek set up teenage defender Davide Bartesaghi for his first senior goal, leveling the match from close range.
Bartesaghi continued to impress, scoring his second goal shortly after the halftime break. He capitalized on a clever pass from Christopher Nkunku, firing inside the near post to give Milan a 2-1 lead. Despite Milan’s momentum, two goals from Christian Pulisic and Loftus-Cheek were disallowed, leaving the door open for Sassuolo. The visitors equalized in the 77th minute through substitute Armand Laurienté, once again assisted by Pinamonti. Laurienté nearly clinched a stunning win with a powerful shot in the 88th minute, but his effort struck the post.
While Milan managed to hold on for the draw, Napoli was left reeling after their defeat at Udinese. The visitors entered the match knowing that a win could see them return to the top of the table. However, they struggled to convert opportunities, with two goals ruled out for offside and a foul in the buildup. Finally, in the 73rd minute, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp broke the deadlock for Udinese with a precise shot from outside the area. Napoli’s Rasmus Højlund missed a golden chance to equalize just two minutes from time, firing over from close range. Another former Udinese player, Lorenzo Lucca, also hit the post during stoppage time, sealing Napoli’s fate.
At the other end of the table, Hellas Verona secured a crucial 2-1 victory against bottom-placed Fiorentina, bringing them closer to safety. Gift Emmanuel Orban scored both goals for Verona, including one in stoppage time, while Fiorentina continued to struggle without a win this season, remaining eight points adrift of safety. Fans displayed a banner that read: “whoever finishes last pays for the drinks,” highlighting the tension in the relegation battle.
As the Serie A season unfolds, the title race intensifies, with Inter Milan poised to capitalize on the weekend’s developments. The outcome of their match against Genoa could dramatically reshape the league standings.
