US Sassuolo Calcio vs AC Milan preview - Lopez urges Rossoneri to kick on

Posted Saturday, May 16, 2015 by PA

AC Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez has called on his team-mates to take confidence from their performance against Roma as they look to continue their climb up the Serie A standings with victory at Sassuolo on Sunday.

Last weekend's 2-1 triumph over Roma - the Rossoneri's first victory since April 4 - halted a three-match losing streak. It was their 11th win of the campaign and lifted them to 10th in the standings.

"The victory over Roma was important for us and for our fans," Lopez said on his club's official website. "It was a difficult game against one of the best teams in the league.

"We wanted to leave behind us our previous three losses and we did so.

"Now we must build on this result. We want to move forward and do well in our remaining three games, bringing home nine points."

Milan have endured a disappointing season under first-year coach Filippo Inzaghi and are set to miss out on European football once again.

The Rossoneri are eight points adrift of sixth-placed Sampdoria, who hold the last European qualifying spot.

Inzaghi's team visit Sassuolo on Sunday before hosting Europa League hopefuls Torino on May 24 and then ending the campaign at Atalanta on May 31.

"This squad knows it should have done better," Inzaghi said. "Let's win our next three matches and do everything we can and then we shall see where we finish."

Inzaghi will have to watch the game from the stands as he must serve a one-match touchline ban.

Milan defender Alex and the team's top scorer Jeremy Menez are also both suspended.

Sassuolo ended a five-match winless run with a 3-2 triumph at Cesena last time out to assure their top-flight place for next term.

The win was their ninth overall and lifted the Emilia-Romagna club to 16th place.

"This was the only aim of our club, which has been in Serie A for just two years," Sassuolo coach Eusebio Di Francesco said. "We are delighted to have defended our Serie A status."

Simone Zaza will lead the home attack this weekend, having ended his goalscoring drought at Cesena. He had not netted since February 1 before opening the scoring last weekend.