Sassuolo’s patched-up defence faces unbeaten Milan
Jay Idzes and Sebastian Walukiewicz are out, and goalkeeper Arijanet Murić is a doubt after picking up a problem with Kosovo. Rúben Amorim’s Milan are fifth and unbeaten after five league games, but they have conceded in every away match. Kick-off is at 18:00 local time, with Francesco Fourneau the referee. The game is at the Mapei Stadium on Sunday, 11 October 2026, with Alberto Aquilani’s side short at the back.
„With our weapons, we can compete.“ – Sassuolo coach Alberto Aquilani
Predicted lineups: Sassuolo vs Milan
Sassuolo’s injury list hits the defence hardest. Captain Jay Idzes and Sebastian Walukiewicz are out, Fali Candé is not yet at full fitness, and Edoardo Pieragnolo, Ismaël Koné, Daniel Boloca and Cristian Volpato are also unavailable. Murić is being assessed day by day, and Stefano Turati could make his league debut in goal if he does not recover. Sebastiano Esposito is favourite to start up front after a good international break. Milan have Alexis Saelemaekers out and Pervis Estupiñán a doubt, and Amorim could switch from his 3-4-2-1 to a 4-2-3-1 with Christian Pulisic in the number ten role.
Sassuolo Team News & Preview
Sassuolo’s games under Aquilani have been open from the start. They lost 2-1 at Atalanta, beat Torino 2-1, drew 2-2 at Bologna, beat Juventus 3-2 and lost 2-1 at Monza before the break. That is 18 goals in five games, with at least three goals and both teams scoring every time. Vasilije Adžić is their top league scorer with three goals.
The defensive injuries make this harder. With Idzes and Walukiewicz out, Duje Ćaleta-Car and Fedde Leysen are likely to start together, and there is uncertainty in goal. Sassuolo also have a good record against Milan at home: the last three meetings at the Mapei Stadium were a 0-0 draw, a 3-3 draw and a 2-0 Sassuolo win. Domenico Berardi is the player Milan will worry about most.
What works for or against Sassuolo
- Sassuolo beat Juventus 3-2 and have scored in all five league games.
- Idzes and Walukiewicz are out, and Murić is a doubt in goal.
- All five of their league games have produced at least three goals.
- Milan have not won at the Mapei Stadium since May 2022.
Milan Team News & Preview
Milan are unbeaten under Amorim, with wins over Torino, Venezia and Lecce and draws with Juventus and Lazio. They have scored ten goals and conceded four. The pattern away from home is clear, though: 2-1 at Torino, 1-1 at Juventus and 2-2 at Lazio. Mike Maignan has conceded in every away game, and two of those three games produced three or more goals.
Diego Moreira leads their scoring with three league goals, and Adrien Rabiot and Alphadjo Cissè have two each. Gonçalo Ramos is likely to lead the line, with Pulisic and Omari Hutchinson behind him. Against a Sassuolo defence missing its captain and possibly its first-choice goalkeeper, Milan should create plenty.
What works for or against Milan
- Milan are unbeaten in five league games and have scored ten goals.
- They have conceded in all three away league games.
- Sassuolo's defence is missing Idzes and Walukiewicz.
- Amorim may switch to a 4-2-3-1 with Pulisic as the number ten.
Sassuolo vs Milan Odds
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Sassuolo vs. AC Milan Stats Comparison
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Sassuolo vs. AC Milan Form Guide
Sassuolo Form, Stats & Data
Sassuolo score and concede 1.80 goals per game, the profile of a side that plays on the front foot and leaves gaps behind. Their games have averaged 3.6 goals, and with two first-choice centre-backs missing, I do not expect them to suddenly become harder to break down.
AC Milan Form, Stats & Data
Milan score two goals per game and concede 0.80, but both of their clean sheets came at San Siro. Away from home they have scored five and conceded four in three games, which fits the open game I expect at the Mapei Stadium.
Sassuolo vs Milan: Prediction & Betting Tip
The goals case is strong on both sides. Every Sassuolo league game under Aquilani has produced at least three goals, Milan have conceded in all three away games, and Sassuolo’s defence is missing its captain and possibly its goalkeeper. Milan’s attack, with Ramos, Pulisic and Moreira, has scored two goals per game.
My main concern is Milan’s overall defensive record. They have conceded only four goals in five games and kept two clean sheets, and Amorim may set his side up more carefully away from home after the international break. But both clean sheets came at home, and I expect Sassuolo’s attack, led by Berardi, to cause problems. I am happy to back goals.
My main bet is Over 2.5 Goals at 1.72 with Winz. My correct-score pick is 1-2 to Milan.