Milan’s title defence in tatters after home humbling by Sassuolo

Sassuolo’s players celebrate after Sassuolo’s Brazilian midfielder Matheus Henrique scored the team’s fifth goal during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Sassuolo, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, on January 29, 2023. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP)

AC Milan’s season went even further off the rails on Sunday after a humiliating 5-2 home defeat at the hands of Sassuolo left them at risk of dropping out of the Champions League places.

Everything that could go wrong for troubled Milan did at a gloriously sunny San Siro, with two goals ruled out for offside and a shocking defensive display condemning the champions to another heavy loss after also being hammered by Lazio and Inter Milan in the last 10 days.

Stefano Pioli’s side dropped down to fourth and will find themselves a whopping 15 points off the Scudetto pace if league leaders Napoli beat fierce rivals Roma in Sunday’s late match.

Milan’s title defence lays in tatters and they will also drop out of Serie A’s top four if either Roma or Lazio, who host Fiorentina later in the day, avoid defeat.

Next up is the derby against second-placed Inter who thumped Milan 3-0 in the Super Cup less than a fortnight ago as Milan try to end a slump which began with throwing away a two-goal lead to draw with Roma three weeks ago.

“We have to react, we’re probably not going to win the title again but we have to fight to qualify for the Champions League,” said Pioli to Sky in Italy.

“Ever since we drew with Roma we’ve not been able to do things right tactically or mentally.”

Domenico Berardi was the star man for Sassuolo, who are 16th after winning for the first time since late October, the Italian having a hand in Gregoire Defrel and Davide Frattesi’s goals which put his