AC Milan were well beaten by Sassuolo yesterday afternoon and there is a lot that can be said about the performance.
In many ways, the defeat to Sassuolo is one to forget. However, it has brought several questions to light and Milan cannot shelve a result, nor a performance, like the one from Sunday. Instead, it must be picked apart.
There were several areas where the Rossoneri were sub-standard and questions need to be asked of all of the squad members and even Massimiliano Allegri. There can be no hiding from a game which may show the Champions League slip more prominently than ever before.
Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial!
The Key Stats
The most worrying stat is the scoreline. It was a poor performance and there can be no denying that. There was not even the saving grace of three points, as has regularly been the case this season. No, this is a bad result on paper and on the pitch, where Milan fell short in every way.
It was, as was stated in the post-match review, a ‘painful’ game to watch and the Rossoneri will be left licking their wounds.
They were dominated in pretty much every stat: possession, xG, big chances, shots, goals. Not a good day at the office.
📊 The stats from the defeat to Sassuolo. pic.twitter.com/pNbVaD3Ncw
— MilanData📊 (@acmilandata) May 3, 2026
Pavlovic’s worrying (but positive?) tendency
Last night, a tweet was published by @Mateo26_, stating that Strahinja Pavlovic has had the third most shots of anyone at Milan. Now, whilst that sounds worrying, it is not quite true.
After a bit more research, his shot against Sassuolo was his 23rd of the season of which five have been on target, pretty impressive to say he has scored four goals. Nevertheless, he is not the third highest shot taker.
Instead, he is third behind Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic in the forwards category, if we’re including him there. Santiago Gimenez has had 22, Christopher Nkunku has 21 and Niclas Füllkrug sits on a meagre 16.
Of course, Pavlovic has played considerably more games. However, the fact that he has managed more shots than strikers is a worrying factor. Allegri has no faith in the alternative options too, so it is possible that he’ll finish the season with more shots than his more forward-thinking teammates.
Record low
Heading back to the key stats, the Diavolo’s expected goal figure was only 0.27. Now, that looks bad in its own right, but when considering that it is their lowest in almost 10 years. It is dismal. Allegri is known for his defensive style, but his defence are crumbling.
Going forward, Milan must start actually going forward themselves, but even then, their attackers are struggling. It is a vicious position to be in and there are seemingly no solutions. There can be no denying how problematic this really is.
With just 0.27 xG (Expected Goals) generated against Sassuolo, #ACMilan recorded their worst attacking output in Serie A since 13 May 2018 (0.20 xG against Atalanta).
[@OptaPaolo] pic.twitter.com/jiR9wmZ9Fl
— MilanData📊 (@acmilandata) May 4, 2026
It’s worse performance than against Udinese
That Pavlovic stat really says a lot…
The Pavlovic stats needs to be broken down more. How many of this shots were headers? That seems like all ACM can create at this point. Of his four goals, one was a header. Also, it looks good his carrying the ball forward, but how many times, like yesterday, does he hold on to it too long and loses it? I would rather see him pass the ball off before then and continue his run into the box. Something Rudiger was good at for CFC.
He didn’t have anyone to pass to yesterday. He was the best defender, midfielder, wingback and striker on the team. I don’t think anyone has criticized him more than me, but he didn’t look shaky like he usually does.
Pavlovic was the best player on the field by far. I am usually critical as he looks dodgy in most tackles but yesterday he did great compared to anyone else. When nobody was trying he was attempting to go past 3 players on his own, push through physically. I value this much more than the whiny Saelemakers that prefers to complain instead of running back. Yet if you’re a clown you rate Pavlovic the same as Saelemakers or Gabbia. Good job!
I don’t rate him the same as Gabbia or Saelemaker. But what I am saying is not much comes from putting your head down and driving into the teeth of a defense. It is a good question of where are any runners? Get you momentary sugar high from Pavlovic drives, but it’s empty calories.
Saelemakers? For what? His offensive contribution is average and defensive below average. He is too bad to be a good winger, and way too bad to be a right back, he can play as RWB only (at the highest level, he’d be a good winger for Torino). Pavlovic is x10 the player even though he isn’t perfect. Gabbia, I agree.
For Pavlovic runs, when you see that any pass forward goes back instantly I guess your only option is to try doing something else.
I don’t disagree that he tries to do something. I am troubled by the lack of options. But that is what ACM lacks.
Well, I agree but we have a team of 4 defensive midfielders from which 3 of them always played there and the 4th is 40 years old and wants to play there. The only one that can get past a player is the 40 year old guy. I couldn’t understand the transfer market last summer, I still can’t. Made no sense. No striker, 4 DMs of which 3 were brought in last summer. The ones that should be taking the ball over from him are midfielders. And it usually goes to Fofana who is a bit lost in the mezzala position.
Fofana is lost in all positions. His position should be on the bench or on a plane going to another club.