AC Milan 2-5 Sassuolo: Nightmare continues for Stefano Pioli in ...

AC Milan's faint title hopes suffered a blow after a 5-2 thrashing at home by Sassuolo, a week after conceding four against Lazio.

Stefano Pioli made six changes to the side that were hammered last weekend but it failed to pay off as they found themselves 3-1 down by half-time.

A lovely passing move saw Gregoire Defrel steer in Domenico Berardi's cross from close range. And three minutes later it was Berardi again the provider for Davide Frattesi to hammer the ball in at the near post.

The home side soon reduced their deficit courtesy of a trademark Oliver Giroud glancing header from Davide Calabria's cross.

But the Rossoneri's defensive woes continued as Berardi headed in a corner at the near post to make it 3-1.

Piolo brought on only Rafael Leao at the break and they soon found themselves further behind when Calabria conceded a penalty with a late challenge on Armand Lauriente, who dispatched it to make it 4-1.

The drama continued as Ante Rebic had a goal disallowed by VAR for offside. Milan then made a late triple change, including bringing on Divock Origi, but the visitors capped off a memorable day when they pounced on another error at the back and substitute Matheus Henrique netted from Berardi's pass.

Origi scored with a wonder strike from the edge of the box but it was mere consolation as Milan slipped to fourth in the table while Sassuolo climb to 16th after their first league win since October.

Stefano Pioli has a major headache in trying to sort out his side's defensive problems.

Milan look unlikely to regain the Scudetto crown given their recent form and inability to keep clean sheets. The players brought in today after the heavy defeats to Lazio and Inter Milan did not increase their stock whatsoever. But there are a few days left of the January transfer window to bring in much-needed reinforcements.

Dominico Berardi (Sassuolo): The 28-year-old, who has scored two goals in his previous four games, was on fire with three assists. And he scored a brilliant header from Traore's corner to put the seal on a famous day for Sassuolo.

AC MILAN: Tatarusanu 4, Calabria 4, Gabbia 4, Kalulu 4, Hernandez 6, Tonali 6, Krunic 5, Saelemaekers 5, De Ketelaere 5, Rebic 6, Giroud 7. Subs: Leao 5, Pobega n/a, Origi n/a, Messias n/a.

SASSUOLO: Consigli 6, Rogerio 6, Ruan 7, Erlic 6, Marchizza 6, Obiang 7, Frattesi 8, Lauriente 8, Traore 7, Berardi 9, Defrel 7. Subs: Kyriakopoulos 6, Álvarez n/a, Henrique n/a, Thorstvedt n/a, Gabbia n/a.

8' - DISALLOWED GOAL FOR MILAN! Giroud scores it from Hernandez's cross. But it's been disallowed by VAR for offside it seems.

19' - GOAL FOR SASSUOLO! An unmarked Defrel steers in Berardi's cross at the back post.

22' - GOAL FOR SASSUOLO! Two goals in 3 minutes. Incredible. It's Berardi again the provider for Frattesi to score.

24' - GOAL FOR MILAN! Game on. Giroud's brilliant glancing header from Calabria's cross.

30' - GOAL FOR SASSUOLO! Berardi scores with a lovely header at the back post from Traore's corner.

48' - GOAL FOR SASSUOLO! Lauriente is fouled by Calabria in the box and it's a penalty. Lauriente fires his spotkick into the bottom corner beyond the keeper's reach.

54' - DISALLOWED GOAL FOR MILAN! Tonali's freekick is parried, and Rebic is first to react to score. 4-2.

79' - GOAL FOR SASSUOLO! Henrique, 3 minutes after coming on, scores from Berardi's cross.

81' - GOAL FOR MILAN! Wonderful strike from Origi from the edge of the area, after Messias's pass, which flies into the top corner.

AC Milan have conceded four goals in two Serie A matches in a row for the first time in their history.