AC Milan 4 - 3 US Sassuolo Calcio: AC Milan win seven-goal thriller against Sassuolo

Posted Monday, October 03, 2016 by PA

Gabriel Paletta's first ever AC Milan goal settled a 4-3 thriller against Sassuolo at San Siro.

Sassuolo looked set to copy their shock win of the 2014-15 season when Matteo Politano, Francesco Acerbi and Lorenzo Pellegrini rendered Giacomo Bonaventura's opener for Milan seemingly irrelevant.

But the Rossoneri launched their own comeback with Carlos Bacca converting a penalty before substitute Manuel Locatelli and former Liverpool defender Paletta completed an amazing turnaround.

Bonaventura scored his first goal of the season after only nine minutes against Sassuolo, the Italy midfielder rifling the ball beyond Andrea Consigli.

Milan's joy was short-lived, however, as Sassuolo equalised barely a minute later. Ignazio Abate's mistake allowed Politano to break into the box for a cool finish underneath Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The Neroverdi thought they had the advantage in the 23rd minute, but Claud Adjapong's close-range goal was ruled out for a foul in the build-up.

Milan enjoyed the last chance of the half as Francesco Magnanelli bravely blocked Bonaventura's powerful drive.

Come the restart Sassuolo, who famously won this fixture two seasons ago, turned the screw.

Defender Acerbi made it 2-1 with a right-footed finish past Donnarumma in the 54th minute and it was not long before Pellegrini stunned the crowd after skipping past the challenge of Gustavo Gomez.

The drama would not end there as Milan took the lead with three goals in eight minutes.

M'Baye Niang won a penalty that Bacca converted in the 69th minute and, with Sassuolo reeling, teenager midfielder Locatelli, on for Riccardo Montolivo, equalised with his left foot.

A less likely source, squad defender Paletta, grabbed the winner with a header from a Niang cross.