AC Milan Manager Allegri Defends Substitution Decision in Serie A Draw

By John Pranay (Editor)

A dramatic 2-2 draw between AC Milan and Sassuolo in a Serie A match has left fans and analysts debating a tactical substitution made by Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri. The match, played at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, saw Sassuolo take the lead with a goal from Koné, only to be equalized by Milan's Bartesaghi before halftime. The second half saw Milan take the lead again, but Sassuolo's Laurienté scored an equalizer in the final minutes, securing a point for the visitors.

The match between AC Milan and Sassuolo was a closely contested and fast-paced game, with both teams creating scoring opportunities throughout. Sassuolo took the lead in the 10th minute with a goal from Koné, but Milan equalized just before halftime through a well-crafted move involving Luka Modric and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Milan took the lead again in the second half, but Sassuolo's Laurienté scored an equalizer in the final minutes, securing a point for the visitors.

The main actors in this conflict were the players and coaches of AC Milan and Sassuolo. Massimiliano Allegri, the manager of AC Milan, made a tactical substitution in the 72nd minute, replacing Christian Pulisic with Samuele Ricci. This move was met with criticism from some fans and analysts, who felt that it was a mistake to substitute Pulisic, who had been playing well throughout the match.

• December 14, 2025: AC Milan and Sassuolo play a Serie A match at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy.

• 72nd minute: Massimiliano Allegri makes a tactical substitution, replacing Christian Pulisic with Samuele Ricci.

• 90+5 minutes: Sassuolo's Laurienté scores an equalizer, securing a point for the visitors.

This match was not the first time that AC Milan and Sassuolo have clashed in a Serie A match. The two teams have a long history of competition, with Milan generally being the more dominant team. However, Sassuolo has been improving in recent seasons and has been a thorn in the side of Milan and other top teams in the league.

The 2-2 draw between AC Milan and Sassuolo has significant implications for both teams. For Milan, the draw means that they have dropped points at home, which could have a negative impact on their chances of winning the Serie A title. For Sassuolo, the draw is a major upset and a testament to their growing strength and competitiveness in the league.

The match also highlights the importance of midfield stability and the need for teams to have a strong defensive presence. Allegri's decision to substitute Pulisic with Ricci was likely motivated by a desire to strengthen Milan's midfield presence and provide additional protection in the center of the park.

The next match for AC Milan is against Inter Milan on December 18, 2025, while Sassuolo will face Roma on December 21, 2025. Both teams will be looking to bounce back from their draw and gain momentum in the league.

This match highlights the growing strength and competitiveness of Sassuolo in the Serie A league. While AC Milan is still the dominant team in the league, Sassuolo's ability to secure a point at the San Siro stadium is a testament to their growing confidence and skill. Crucially, this match also highlights the importance of midfield stability and the need for teams to have a strong defensive presence. Allegri's decision to substitute Pulisic with Ricci was likely motivated by a desire to strengthen Milan's midfield presence and provide additional protection in the center of the park. This suggests that Allegri is willing to make tough decisions to ensure that his team is competitive, even if it means sacrificing a key player like Pulisic.

On balance, this event screens as Neutral in our sentiment view.

1. Goals and Highlights for Milan 2-2 Sassuolo in Série A Match — https://www.vavel.com/en-us/soccer/2025/12/14/1244581-milan-vs-sassuolo-live-score-serie-a.html

2. 'We needed one more midfielder' - Massimiliano Allegri defends tactical substitution of USMNT star Christian Pulisic during AC Milan 2-2 draw against Sassuolo — https://www.goal.com/en/lists/massimiliano-allegri-usmnt-star-christian-pulisic-ac-milan-draw-sassuolo/blt570456b3700f4ce3

3. Milan held to 2-2 home draw by Sassuolo after late Lauriente equaliser — https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/milan-held-2-2-home-draw-by-sassuolo-after-late-lauriente-equaliser-2025-12-14/

Methodology: This analysis combines real-time data aggregation from manually selected global sources with advanced AI synthesis, engineered to provide neutral and data-driven insights.