Massimiliano Allegri is eager for Christopher Nkunku to find joy on the pitch as he seeks his first Serie A goal. Since joining AC Milan from Chelsea in the summer, Nkunku has played ten league matches but only contributed one assist. Allegri believes that a more relaxed approach will help Nkunku improve and emphasises the club's trust in him.
Allegri stated, "He must be more serene, because we all wanted him here. His team-mates and the club trust him. I told him he has to smile more. If he does so, things will improve. He's an important player with technical skills, and I'm convinced he'll do excellent things. "
Christian Pulisic has been in fine form for Milan, scoring twice off the bench in their 3-1 victory over Torino. He leads the team's
scoring charts this season with seven goals. Allegri noted that Pulisic still has room to grow, describing him as "diabolical" in front of goal but needing to reach peak fitness.
Pulisic's performance against Torino marked a personal milestone, setting a new record for goals scored in a single calendar year within Europe's top five leagues. Only Harry Kane boasts a better minutes-per-goal ratio than Pulisic among players with at least five goals this season.
Cristian Volpato has been instrumental for Sassuolo recently, contributing to four goals in his last four Serie A appearances. This includes one goal and three assists, showcasing his growing influence on the team. Volpato ranks among the top assist providers this season alongside notable players like Nico Paz and Federico Dimarco.
Sassuolo currently sits eighth in Serie A, just four points shy of sixth place. Despite their position, they have shown resilience on the road, remaining unbeaten in four of their last five away matches.
Match Outlook
Milan aims to maintain their lead at the top of Serie A while Sassuolo looks to climb higher in the standings. Historically, Milan has struggled against Sassuolo at home, winning only once in their last five encounters there. However, they have consistently finished strong when surpassing 30 points after 14 matches.
The teams have been evenly matched over their last eight meetings, each securing three wins and two draws. Their most recent clash ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw at MAPEI Stadium.
Predictions and Probabilities
The probability of an AC Milan win stands at 63.6%, while a draw is estimated at 20.2%. Sassuolo's chances are lower at 16.2%. Milan's strong start this season mirrors their successful 2021-22 campaign when they captured the title after accumulating over 30 points early on.
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Milan's impressive form this season suggests they are well-positioned for another successful campaign if they maintain momentum and continue capitalising on key players' performances like Pulisic's recent contributions.
