Milan Held to 1-1 Draw at Sassuolo: Trio step up but forwards fail again Player ratings for Sassuolo-Milan from Italian papers

FolioPitch.com – 12 October 2026 | AC Milan‘s return to Serie A action after the international break ended in frustration as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium on Saturday evening. The result marks a third consecutive league draw for Ruben Amorim‘s side, all of which have come away from home, and leaves the Rossoneri searching for answers. The Italian newspapers have delivered their verdicts, and the headline is clear: Trio step up but forwards fail again Player ratings for Sassuolo-Milan from Italian papers.

Milan took the lead in the 63rd minute when Adrien Rabiot thundered home a feed from Luka Modric down the left edge of the box. It was a moment of quality that briefly suggested Milan would take all three points. However, the lead lasted just a few minutes as Odenthal levelled from a corner, exposing Milan’s vulnerability from set pieces. In the end, both sides had to settle for a point apiece, but it was the visitors who left the field with a bitter taste.

Player Ratings: The Trio Who Stood Out

According to the morning papers, three players emerged with credit from an otherwise disappointing performance. La Gazzetta dello Sport awarded Rabiot a 7, the highest score in the match, while Mike Maignan received a 6.5. Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport also praised Maignan, Gila, and Rabiot, handing them 6.5s across the board. These three were the only ones to consistently rise above mediocrity, and their efforts were not enough to mask the team’s shortcomings. Once again, the Trio step up but forwards fail again Player ratings for Sassuolo-Milan from Italian papers narrative rings true.

Forwards Flatter to Deceive

While the trio impressed, the forwards once again failed to deliver. Christian Pulisic was particularly poor, receiving a 5 from both Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport. Goncalo Ramos also struggled, earning 5.5s from all three outlets. Samuel Chukwueze, who was expected to provide width and creativity, was handed a 5 by La Gazzetta and 5.5s by the other two. The lack of cutting edge in the final third is becoming a recurring theme for Amorim’s side, and it is costing them valuable points.

Midfield and Defence: Mixed Signals

In midfield, Yunus Musah received passing grades (6 from Gazzetta, 5.5 from CorSport and Tuttosport), but he failed to stamp his authority on the game. Luka Modric, despite providing the assist, was given a 6 by Gazzetta and 6.5 by the others. Defensively, Mario Gila was solid (6 from Gazzetta, 6.5 from the others), while Strahinja Pavlovic and Koni De Winter earned 6s across the board. Pervis Estupinan, however, was criticised, receiving 5.5s from all three papers. The full-back struggled to contain Sassuolo’s wide players and offered little going forward.

Amorim Under Fire

Ruben Amorim’s management of the game also came under scrutiny. La Gazzetta dello Sport gave him a 5.5, while Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport were equally unimpressed, awarding him the same score. The Portuguese coach has now overseen three straight draws, and questions are being asked about his ability to make impactful substitutions and adjust his tactics when Milan are on the back foot. The Trio step up but forwards fail again Player ratings for Sassuolo-Milan from Italian papers headline reflects a broader issue: the team’s reliance on individual brilliance rather than cohesive attacking play.

What the Papers Said: A Summary

Here is a breakdown of the key ratings from the three major Italian sports dailies:

As the table shows, there is a consensus among the Italian press: Milan’s defensive players and Rabiot performed admirably, but the attacking players and the coach fell short. The Trio step up but forwards fail again Player ratings for Sassuolo-Milan from Italian papers is a damning indictment of the team’s current state.

Conclusion

Milan’s 1-1 draw with Sassuolo is a microcosm of their season so far: moments of quality undermined by a lack of consistency and a blunt attack. While Maignan, Gila, and Rabiot can hold their heads high, the forwards and Amorim must shoulder the blame. If Milan are to challenge for a top-four finish, they need to find a way to turn draws into wins. The Trio step up but forwards fail again Player ratings for Sassuolo-Milan from Italian papers may be the story of the weekend, but unless something changes, it will be the story of Milan’s season.