The man who got Allegri sacked: Milan to face nemesis Berardi again

AC Milan will battle Sassuolo on Sunday and – just as it has for over a decade – it means they will face Domenico Berardi again.

Milan travel to the MAPEI Stadium knowing that six points from their last four games will be enough to get over the line and achieve the main objective for the season: qualification for the next edition of the Champions League.

However, it will be easier said than done. Sassuolo are in mid-table having stayed up comfortably so they can play with some freedom, while they have only lost two of their last eight games versus the Rossoneri. Then there is Berardi, a long-time bête noire for Milan.

Berardi: The numbers vs. Milan

The numbers are actually quite remarkable. The Diavolo are the favourite victim of the Neroverdi’s No.10, who is returning after a two-match suspension for the tunnel brawl against Genoa.

The 32-year-old has played 23 games this season, scoring seven goals and adding six assists. He has played 20 matches against Milan in his career, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists. That is just shy of one goal contribution per game on average.

His best performance against Milan was certainly the one on 12 January 2014, in which he scored four goals in a 4-3 final victory for his team which cost Massimiliano Allegri his job. His team-mate Nemanja Matic recalled this in an interview with Sky.

“I expect Berardi to score four goals again (laughs). It will be a tough match against Milan, a good team. I know Modric won’t play, but they have many other good players, we expect a tough match. We also know we have quality, we’ll see how it goes on Sunday, we’re confident.”

As a reminder, Berardi has also been repeatedly linked with a move to Milan in years gone by, with Paolo Maldini in particular reported to be a big admirer of his compatriot, when Stefano Pioli was in charge.