Domenico Berardi scored a hat-trick against AC Milan for the second season running to give Sassuolo a 3-2 win yesterday.
Milan had Giacomo Bonaventura and Suso sent off in the second half as their frustration boiled over, their grievances including Berardi’s first goal where replays were inconclusive as to whether the ball crossed the line.
Last season, Berardi scored four goals in a 4-3 win for Sassuolo, which led to Massimiliano Allegri being fired as Milan coach the next day.
Allegri has led Juventus to the Serie A title and Uefa Champions League final this season.
Milan's defeat left them 10th in Serie A and continued a miserable season for the club under Filippo Inzaghi. It also ensured they would be without European football for the second consecutive season.
Inzaghi’s future with the club remains uncertain, but the former Milan striker launched a plea to be allowed to continue with the club.
“I have a contract with Milan and feel honoured to be here,” he said. “Sassuolo wanted me when I was Milan’s youth coach, but I am too close to Milan and I hope to stay because I still have so much to offer.”
Berardi struck after 13 minutes when his 25-metre shot was fumbled by Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez, who clawed the ball away, only to see the goal awarded.
It was the latest goal-line controversy in Serie A, which will introduce goal-line technology from next season.
Berardi doubled Sassuolo’s lead before the half-hour, breaking clear of the offside trap to fire a left-foot shot past Lopez.
Milan hit back as Bonaventura reduced the arrears with an individual goal and defender Alex headed the equaliser early in the second half.
They appeared to be on top when Bonaventura, having been booked for dissent, was given a second yellow card for handball.
As Sassuolo fought back, Berardi had one effort blocked by Lopez but was not to be denied and turned in the winner from close range in the 77th minute.
Half-time substitute Suso was sent off for a studs-up tackle, Milan’s 12th red card of the season, as Sassuolo completed an unlikely double over Milan.
“There were two doubtful decisions, both against us. It’s only natural your heads drop when you concede a goal that didn’t actually go in,” Inzaghi said. “The second goal could have been offside, too, so it becomes difficult to react in those circumstances. The team did well to get back to 2-0, then the moment we had the game under control Bonaventura was sent off.”
sports@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter at @NatSportUAE
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations
Edited by Sarah Cleave, Comma Press
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
