Well, it does appear that Milan have got out of jail here! De Jong's goal looks to be enough to ensure the Rossoneri's safe passage into the quarter finals, with the hosts keen to slow the game down wherever possible.
90'
There are three minutes of stoppage time. Sassuolo need a late equaliser here to stay in the Coppa Italia.
88'
Missiroli nearly has the chance to shoot from the edge of the Milan box, but the midfielder is penalised for accidental handball! Montolivo hacked a clearance away, which struck the Sassuolo man on the arm - not that there was much he could do about it.
87'
D. Berardi enters the game and replaces R. Chibsah.
A. Floro Flores enters the game and replaces N. Sansone.
86'
N. de Jong has scored a goal for AC Milan!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! MILAN HAVE THE LEAD AGAIN! Poli and De Jong were involved, with the Netherlands international firing home opportunistically! The former met a free-kick delivery with a clean volley that thundered onto the underside of the crossbar and back out, before De Jong stayed alert to turn the rebound home!
85'
S. Zaza enters the game and replaces L. Pavoletti.
Not long is left for either side to find a late winner, leading to a positive switch from Di Francesco. Zaza is introduced in place of Pavoletti, with the substitute definitely having the star quality to make a difference at San Siro tonight.
84'
P. Cannavaro gets yellow.
Milan want a penalty for handball! Poli shoots from the edge of the box, with the Italian midfielder claiming that his effort was halted by a stray arm! The referee is not interested whatsoever!
82'
R. Montolivo enters the game and replaces A. Cerci.
Cannavaro receives some extensive treatment, with the Sassuolo defender appearing to have been bloodied by his clash with Zapata. Inzaghi uses the stoppage in play to make a change, with Montolivo replacing the fairly impressive Cerci.
80'
Missiroli unleashes a long-range effort, which threatens to hurtle into the top left-hand corner, but Abbiati's starting position allows for the veteran shot-stopper to handle smartly. It's end to end stuff now, with Milan leading the charge upfield, but Vrsaljko concedes a corner to relieve the pressure. The delivery is flighted in, but Zapata is beaten to the ball by Cannavaro - who clashed heads with the Colombian.
79'
As has been the theme throughout, the home side manage to waste both corner opportunities, with the Sassuolo defence coming out on top once again. Narrowly over ten minutes remains for either side to take a late lead.
Minute
Description
77'
Half chance for De Jong! The Dutch midfielder slides in to try and meet a Bonaventura free-kick delivery, but Pavoletti does his defensive duty well to slide in and knock the ball behind for a Milan corner. The first is dealt with easily, but leads to a second.
75'
D. Biondini gets yellow.
Risky defending from Zapata! The Colombia international fails to deal with a near-post cross effectively, slicing the ball over his own crossbar for a corner. The Rossoneri clear and break down the right flank, with Biondini forced to commit a cynical foul to halt Cerci in his tracks.
74'
Sansone attempts to race in behind Abate, but the Sassuolo man is penalised for an unsporting shove on his marker to gift himself some additional space. Cerci is then nearly found making a penetrative run at the edge of the box, but Cannavaro is alive to the danger and hammers the ball into touch.
72'
Cerci gets in behind enemy lines and takes the ball down at the right byline, but can only win a corner for his side - which is wasted. Set pieces really haven't been taken advantage of in this clash, that's for sure!
71'
Almost 2-1 to Sassuolo! A teasing cross is floated in from the left-hand side, with Alex unable to head the ball clear from under his own crossbar, forcing Abbiati to push behind for a corner. The resulting set piece is curled in, with a close-range header whistling straight into the gloves of the Milan goalkeeper.
69'
Pazzini is becoming increasingly anonymous for the home side, with the goalscorer not being found too often with good service. El Shaarawy and Cerci are threatening from wide areas, but the Rossoneri have no central threat to build their offensive play around.
67'
Missiroli gives away a free kick for a cynical tug on Poli, allowing for the home side to load the box with red and black shirts. Cerci is the man to deliver and forces Pomini into a good save, despite the dead ball being set down some 35 yards from goal!
66'
S. Missiroli gets yellow.
65'
Well, that has thrown a spanner in the works for the Rossoneri! Cerci cuts inside from the right flank and shoots, but Pomini is easily able to gather the ball up and calm the game down. Sassuolo suddenly have something to defend, Milan need to press on and try to get their noses back ahead.
63'
C. Zapata gets yellow.
Penalty goal scored by N. Sansone for Sassuolo!
PENALTY FOR SASSUOLO! Pavoletti is brought to ground by a clumsy tackle from Zapata, with Inzaghi going absolutely berserk on the touchline! He clears thinks it was his defender who was the subject of physical attention!
GOOOOOOOAL! Sansone keeps his cool to put the visitors back on level terms! The Sassuolo forward holds his nerve and slots a delicate finish straight down the middle, with Abbiati diving incorrectly to his left-hand side! The home fans aren't happy!
61'
Bonaventura looks to slide a pass into Cerci, who is lurking just inside the Sassuolo penalty box, but the former Torino forward slips as he tries to bring the ball under his spell - to the groans of the hosts' supporters. It just isn't quite happening in front of goal for either side. Abbiati claims an early cross from the left-hand side from Longhi.
59'
Narrowly over half an hour remains for the away side to get back into this contest, with Abbiati remaining relatively untroubled in between the Rossoneri sticks. Di Francesco might just be starting to look towards his substitutes.
57'
Bonaventura throws himself into a meaty challenge on Vrsaljko, as Milan continue to look inherently comfortable. Pavoletti and Floccari have been a little bit anonymous for the away side, it must be said. Chibsah manages to scramble a tame effort goalwards from eight yards, but Abbiati gathers the ball up easily.
55'
El Shaarawy continues to cause all kinds of problems down the left-hand side for Vrsaljko, with Inzaghi's men looking the more likely of the two sides to net the second goal of the evening. That said, Sassuolo have both Zaza and Berardi sat in reserve on the bench, ready to be introduced at any time.
53'
Sassuolo are looking to break at a high tempo this side of half time, but Milan are playing the leading role. El Shaarawy breaks to the left byline and cuts back two square balls in quick succession, but both fail to reach their intended targets due to interceptions. Cerci and Pazzini can't believe their luck, one of those balls just had to fall more kindly for them.
51'
Another half chance is snuffed out on the periphery of the Sassuolo penalty area, before the away side break upfield. Sansone dribbles inside from the left flank, before wrongfooting his marker and trying his luck from 20 yards out. Abbiati is comfortably able to get down and smother.
49'
El Shaarawy almost has the opportunity to unleash a hurried effort from the edge of the penalty area, but sees his shot charged down yet again. Sassuolo are always quick to react whenever the tricky youngster gets on the ball.
47'
Daniele Bonera is thrown into action by Milan at the start of the second half, with De Sciglio unable to run off his discomfort from late in the first period. The substitute is slightly out of position, but has been heavily used as a defensive utility man in recent months.
46'
D. Bonera enters the game and replaces M. De Sciglio.
We are back underway in the second half! Only 45 minutes stand in between Milan and the next round, with the current scoreline enough to put the home side through as it stands.
45' +1
Sassuolo see a goal ruled out for offside! With the last kick of the first half, a free-kick delivery is flighted in towards the back post and finished by Vrsaljko, but the right-back was just the wrong side of his man!
45'
Unlucky for Cerci! The former Torino man is fed in behind Longhi, but is caught narrowly offside and stopped in his tracks by the linesman's raised flag. There is only one minute of stoppage time.
44'
Chibsah is given space to run into down the right-hand side, but the Ghanaian midfielder can only clumsily stumble into two defenders as he enters the box. It really hasn't been a classy performance from him so far, he's surrendered too much possession and too many fouls.
42'
Close for Cerci! The Italian manages to reach a cross ahead of Cannavaro, but can only steer a bobbling effort against the foot of the far post and wide! It was a good attempt, but not quite accurate enough to double the Rossoneri's lead ahead of the interval!
40'
Only five minutes remain until the break, with Sassuolo perhaps being forced to re-think their approach now. Pazzini's finish, out of nothing, leaves the away side with some ground to gain in the second half. De Sciglio goes down heavily and receives some treatment, but should be fine to continue.
38'
G. Pazzini has scored a goal for AC Milan!
GOOOOOOOOOOAL! PAZZINI MAKES IT 1-0 TO THE ROSSONERI! The home crowd go wild, with the goalscorer hurdling the advertising hoardings and making his way towards his fans to celebrate! It's a delightful finish, with the striker angling his body awkwardly to divert an inviting cross into the bottom-left corner on the volley!
37'
Just wide from Pazzini! The experienced striker has been quiet, but after being fed in behind by El Shaarawy looks to hit the target. With his left foot, the lone forward drags the ball just beyond the far post with Pomini looking to be in some trouble. Moments later, El Shaarawy shoots from 25 yards out, but can only rocket an effort into the stands.
35'
Sansone and Pavoletti nearly manage to exchange a volleyed one-two on the edge of the penalty area, but the former is forced wide after bringing the ball under his spell. Abate and Poli ensure that the Sassuolo winger isn't able to find any space down the left.
33'
Cerci is left in a heap on the floor by the tenacious Biondini, with the former Atletico Madrid forward looking to be enjoying himself this evening. The resulting free kick is swept into the penalty box, but headed clear by the first defender once again. Such wasteful stuff.
31'
Sassuolo have started to threaten slightly in the last five minutes, with Milan reluctant to press whatsoever. Sansone is nearly found by a back-post cross that bounces loose in the penalty area, but the ball zips behind for a goal kick. The Rossoneri are really trying to conserve energy and bait the visitors forward.
29'
Pavoletti fires an effort wide! Missiroli works the ball out to the overlapping Vrsaljko on the right-hand side, with the right-back whipping in a near-post delivery. The Sassuolo forward gets across his man well, but can only direct a passed attempt into the advertising hoardings behind Abbiati's goal!
27'
Abbiati has to remain alert to race off his line and claim an optimistic through ball ahead of Floccari, as Sassuolo continue to struggle in terms of finding a final ball. Defensively, the away side have been solid, but they can only spend so long on the back foot until one of Milan's personnel creates something out of nothing.
25'
N. de Jong gets yellow.
Longhi breaks upfield before clipping a diagonal ball into the box, but neither Pavoletti nor Sansone can take a telling touch. Milan clear and break themselves, with Cerci forcing Pomini into a near-post save to ensure that the scoreline stays level for the time being!
23'
This has certainly been a competitive first 20 minutes, with both sides having the odd chance and patient possession. Inzaghi will be slightly happier than his counterpart, given that El Shaarawy and Cerci have looked bright in the final third, but this game needs a goal to really start fizzling.
21'
Good intervention from Cannavaro! Abate overlaps down the right-hand side and curls in a cross, but the Sassuolo defender does well to slide back towards his own near post to make a timely interception! That had to be cut out, El Shaarawy and Pazzini were lurking.
19'
Abate does well to defuse a potentially tricky situation! The former Torino man is switched on to sweep in behind his central defensive teammates and kick the dangerous loose ball into touch for a corner. The set piece is flighted in, but swerves out of play immediately - yet another corner comes to nothing.
18'
Cerci is penalised for a foul on Longhi, with the former Torino man eager to harry his opponent and prove himself to his new fans. The Italy international has already shown some technical ability when opening up play from right to left.
16'
Sassuolo win themselves their first corner of the match, but the delivery is turned hideously off target by a looping header. Milan are trying to get the ball wide and create some gaps to exploit, but they're working the ball just a tad too slowly. El Shaarawy breaks into the box with a lovely piece of skill, but sees his resulting shot blocked!
14'
Almost a huge mistake from Alex! The former PSG defender slips while attempting to feed a pass to Zapata, which nearly allows for Pavoletti to race in behind enemy lines to test Abbiati in a one-versus-one situation. This has settled down to be quite cagey, as both sides look conscious of taking risks to land the first telling blow.
12'
Both coaches are consistently vocal and demonstrative on the very peripheries of their technical areas, as Sassuolo continue to look likely to frustrate this evening. Chibsah gives away another free kick, with the Ghanaian midfielder perhaps edging closer to an early caution.
10'
Both sides have spurned a good half chance apiece, with neither goalkeepers called into action quite yet. The home side continue to enjoy the majority of possession, but are for the most part circulating the ball in areas which are of no threat to Sassuolo.
8'
Chibsah gives away a free kick for a shove on El Shaarawy, after the Italy international got the wrong side of his man courtesy of a change of pace. Cerci flights the dead ball in from the left, but it is easily headed clear by the first man, allowing for groans to be heard from the stands. A waste.
6'
Poli fires over! After trying to play a one-two with Cerci, the Milan midfielder can only angle a poor attempt high and wide of the target, stealing an opportunity from the boots of El Shaarawy. Moments earlier, the young Italian went on a run of his own, before being denied by heavy pressure on the edge of the penalty box.
5'
The away side are more than content to sit back and allow the Rossoneri to stroke the ball around deep in their own half, before springing into aggressive action when Milan cross into opposition territory. There have been a few breaks in play due to free kicks already.
3'
Milan control possession in the early minutes, with Sassuolo keen to push high upfield to force mistakes. There are plenty of blue shirts swarming about, with Pavoletti denied in the penalty area by a combination of Zapata and Abbiati.
1'
We are underway in the first half at San Siro! The home side are in their customary red and black stripes, while the visitors don their away kit of bright blue.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Milan's Coppa Italia clash against Sassuolo, as Filippo Inzaghi's men look to have a successful cup run in order to compensate for poor Serie A form. Only two points separate these two outfits in the table, but this evening is an opportunity to forget past woes. The hosts have only managed one win in their last five matches, with the pressure ramping up on their coach ever so slightly.
I'm Simon Harrison and I will be keeping you updated with all of the action at San Siro. Sassuolo have arrived at this stage of the competition courtesy of wins against Cittadella and Pescara, while tonight represents the Rossoneri's first involvement in Coppa Italia action. Eusebio Di Francesco's men have only been defeated once in their last five matches, meaning that the hosts have a stern test ahead of them if they are to progress into the next round.
TEAM NEWS: Christian Abbiati is given a chance in between the sticks for the home side, with Cristian Zapata and Alex featuring at the heart of the defence. Andrea Poli and Nigel de Jong provide some grit in midfield, while new signing Alessio Cerci is given a run out. Giampaolo Pazzini and Stephan El Shaarawy look to be the main danger men for Sassuolo to keep tabs on.
TEAM NEWS: Sassuolo deploy Sergio Floccari, Leonardo Pavoletti and Nicola Sansone in attack to test the resolve of the Rossoneri defence. Sime Vrsaljko and Alessandro Longhi will be asked to break forward in support from full-back, while Davide Biondini and Raman Chibsah provide some fight and athleticism in the centre of the park. Simone Zaza is on the bench, alongside with fellow former Juventus striker Domenico Berardi.
Milan starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Abbiati; Abate, Alex, Zapata, De Sciglio; De Jong, Poli; Cerci, Bonaventura, El Shaarawy; Pazzini.
HALF TIME! The home side have a slender 1-0 lead at the break, with Pazzini's improvised finish the only difference between the two teams. Cerci hit the post, before Vrsaljko saw a potential equaliser ruled out for offside, with this contest still very much in the balance. A place in the quarter final of the Coppa Italia awaits the victor! Be sure to stick around for all of the second-half action!
FULL TIME! Milan progress in the Coppa Italia, courtesy of a late winner from De Jong, defeating Sassuolo 2-1. Goals from Pazzini and Sansone kept the two sides within touching distance until the last five minutes, before the Dutchman struck the telling blow. The hosts were by no means wholly convincing, but their progression into the next round is guaranteed! I've been Simon Harrison and I hope to see you again next time.
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