Sassuolo 1‑1 AC Milan: Odenthal wipes out Rabiot’s lead in five minutes

AC Milan’s lead lasted just five minutes as substitute Cas Odenthal struck in the 68th minute to rescue a 1-1 draw for Sassuolo. Adrien Rabiot had finally broken the deadlock in the 63rd, but the visitors left with their third draw in six Serie A matches rather than a fourth victory.

Due Gol in Cinque Minuti al Mapei | SASSUOLO-MILAN | HIGHLIGHTS | SERIE A ENILIVE 2026/27

The decisive contributions came from players introduced after kick-off. Odenthal replaced Fedde Leysen in the 26th minute, while Luka Modrić came on at half-time and supplied the assist for Rabiot’s opener. One substitute helped establish the lead; the other erased it before AC Milan could turn their breakthrough into a lasting advantage.

There had already been a change in AC Milan’s defence before Odenthal’s introduction, with Koni De Winter replacing Matteo Gabbia after 20 minutes. Neither side scored before the interval, leaving the match goalless at half-time despite the attacking opportunities that eventually produced 22 attempts between them.

Modrić replaced Pervis Estupiñán for the second half and made the telling contribution to AC Milan’s opening goal. Rabiot struck in the 63rd minute from his assist, ending more than an hour without a goal and putting the visitors in position to claim all three points.

Sassuolo answered in the 68th through Odenthal. The defender’s equaliser ensured their first-half substitution became central to the result and extended the hosts’ scoring sequence to eight matches. AC Milan had waited until the second half to find a way through, only for Sassuolo to respond almost immediately.

The visitors finished with 59 per cent possession and six shots on target, compared with Sassuolo’s four. They also won five corners to the home side’s three, giving AC Milan an edge in several attacking measures without producing the additional goal needed to win.

The total attempts tell a less one-sided story: both teams took 11 shots. Sassuolo had 41 per cent of the ball but matched AC Milan’s overall shot count, and their quick equaliser meant the visitors’ greater possession did not translate into a prolonged lead. The distinction between having more of the ball and making that advantage count was important here.

Discipline also separated the sides. AC Milan received four yellow cards, with Estupiñán and De Winter booked before half-time, followed by Gonçalo Ramos in the 87th minute and Strahinja Pavlović in stoppage time. Kristian Thorstvedt received Sassuolo’s only booking late on, although the hosts committed 13 fouls to AC Milan’s 11.

For AC Milan, the result preserves an unbeaten start to the league season: three wins and three draws from six matches. Their unbeaten away sequence also stands at five games, and they have scored in each of their last five away fixtures. Rabiot’s goal maintained that scoring run, but Odenthal’s response prevented them from adding another away victory.

Sassuolo’s home record provided a firmer reward for the equaliser. They are now unbeaten in five home matches, and their league return stands at two wins, two draws and two defeats. Taking a point from fifth-placed AC Milan keeps them tenth after six rounds, with eight points and a goal difference of zero.

The draw also leaves the recent head-to-head record level. Across four meetings since August 2024, each club has recorded one win, with the other two matches ending in draws. This latest meeting was decided by a brief second-half scoring spell rather than the possession advantage AC Milan held across the match.

Best moments: the official Serie A channel has published “Due Gol in Cinque Minuti al Mapei” and “Back to Back Shots at the Mapei”. The key goals to revisit are Rabiot’s 63rd-minute opener, assisted by Modrić, and Odenthal’s equaliser in the 68th.

AC Milan finish the round on 12 points, four behind leaders Inter: an unbeaten record, but already three draws in six league games. Sassuolo’s point strengthens their eight-point total and keeps their five-match unbeaten home run intact, with a first-half replacement delivering the goal that protected it.

Questions

Where does the draw leave AC Milan in Serie A?

AC Milan are fifth with 12 points from six matches, four points behind leaders Inter. Their league record is three wins, three draws and no defeats.

What does the result mean for Sassuolo?

Sassuolo are tenth with eight points from six matches. The draw extends their unbeaten home run to five matches, while Odenthal’s goal means they have scored in each of their last eight matches.

Which substitutes made the decisive contributions?

Luka Modrić came on at half-time and assisted Adrien Rabiot’s 63rd-minute opener for AC Milan. Cas Odenthal replaced Fedde Leysen in the 26th minute and scored Sassuolo’s equaliser in the 68th.