Roberto De Zerbi believes Milan will be ‘even more difficult’ for Sassuolo than Inter or Juventus, as both the leaders and Neroverdi have a similar tactical ‘identity.’
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Milan have a precise identity and approach every game the same way, whether it’s in Serie A or the Europa League, against a strong or weak opponent,” De Zerbi told Sassuolo Channel.
Roberto De Zerbi believes Milan will be ‘even more difficult’ for Sassuolo than Inter or Juventus, as both the leaders and Neroverdi have a similar tactical ‘identity.’
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Milan have a precise identity and approach every game the same way, whether it’s in Serie A or the Europa League, against a strong or weak opponent,” De Zerbi told Sassuolo Channel.
“It’ll be tougher for us than it was against Inter or Juventus, because they have the enthusiasm of a team that is already top of the table and unbeaten all season in Serie A.
“It’s important for us, as after three years of hard work, we are fighting it out with the leaders and a victory would put us just two points off top spot. That’s something to be proud of and shows how far we’ve come.”
The Neroverdi were held to a 1-1 draw by Fiorentina midweek, with Dusan Vlahovic’s penalty cancelling out the Junior Hamed Traore opener.
“It’s an important point that we earned with our identity and we saw the Sassuolo that we knew from the last few years. Now it’s about finding that consistency again.
“The ball is the key to this game, as if we keep hold of it, we know what to do. When we don’t have the ball, we need courage and concentration,” continued De Zerbi.
“After the lockdown last season, opponents already started to show Sassuolo more respect and take on a different attitude towards us. We have to realise it’s an extra problem for us, seeing the opposition change themselves to neutralise us, so we require more patience and precision.”
Both teams are going to be without key players tomorrow, as Manuel Locatelli is suspended for Sassuolo with Nicolas Schiappacasse and Federico Ricci injured, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Simon Kjaer, Ismael Bennacer and Matteo Gabbia are out for the visitors.
“Ibrahimovic is a champion and proved it yet again almost at the age of 40, but Milan have many strong players, from the goalkeeper to the striker. They have the second or third best defensive record, but second best in terms of goals scored.
“We want to win and maintain our positive streak too. Locatelli is very important to us for many reasons, including quality and character, having become a great player. He wasn’t like that when he first arrived from Milan.”