AC Milan’s unbeaten start to the Serie A season under Ruben Amorim was extended by a 1-1 draw at Sassuolo, who have now avoided defeat against the Rossoneri in their past four meetings, winning one and drawing three.
Sassuolo had scored at least twice in each of their previous six home matches, but struggled to maintain that attacking record during a subdued first half.
Vasilije Adzic sent a looping header over the crossbar, while Darryl Bakola and Armand Lauriente also missed the target from distance. Milan’s early efforts were limited to a couple of blocked attempts.
The visitors went closest to breaking the deadlock in the 33rd minute. Adrien Rabiot met a free-kick from a wide position, but his header drifted narrowly over as Sassuolo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric came out but failed to reach the ball.
Goncalo Ramos then tested Muric two minutes before half-time, shooting from a tight angle. The goalkeeper pushed the effort away and was called into action again moments later, tipping Ramos’ header over the crossbar after Milan recycled possession and delivered into the area.
Muric continued to play a key role before the interval, getting down to save from Diego Moreira before producing another strong stop to keep out a Strahinja Pavlovic header in added time.
A more open second half had appeared likely. Four of Sassuolo’s previous five matches this season had featured more goals after the break, while Milan had entered the round with Serie A’s best second-half record.
Instead, the match remained cautious. Neither side managed a shot until the 59th minute, when Mike Maignan gathered a close-range attempt from Adzic. Ramos then missed from the edge of the area at the other end.
Milan finally took the lead in the 63rd minute. Luka Modric found Rabiot with a pass through the defence, and the midfielder fired beyond Muric at his near post despite the difficult angle.
Their advantage survived for only five minutes. Lauriente’s low corner ricocheted around the Milan penalty area before reaching Cas Odenthal, who guided his second goal of the season through a crowded six-yard box.
Muric made one more important save with six minutes remaining, keeping out Alphadjo Cisse’s curling effort. Sassuolo appeared to have scored again late on, but Kristian Thorstvedt’s finish was ruled out for a foul.
The result was Sassuolo’s first dropped points at home this season under Alberto Aquilani. Milan, meanwhile, have remained unbeaten through the opening six matches of a Serie A campaign for the first time since 2022.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Arijanet Muric (Sassuolo)