Manager Paulo Fonseca lavished praise on Milan after two goals from Samuel Chukwueze helped sweep Sassuolo aside 6-1 at the San Siro in the Coppa Italia round of 16.
Nigeria forward Chukwueze slotted in from close range in the 12th minute and curled his second beyond goalkeeper Giacomo Satalino less than 10 minutes later after Tammy Abraham found him inside the box on the right.
Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders scored the pick of the early goals in between Chukwueze’s efforts, hammering in a thunderous finish from well outside the penalty area.
Tammy after tonight’s big win 🗣️#MilanSassuolo #SempreMilan #CoppaItaliaFrecciarossa pic.twitter.com/w7rA4n9E1b
— AC Milan (@acmilan) December 4, 2024
Rafael Leao struck the fourth to put Milan firmly on course for a second home win in four days and a third consecutive victory in all competitions, reaching the interval 4-0 ahead.
Davide Calabria fired in after Christian Pulisic’s shot hit the woodwork in the 56th minute and, after Samuele Mulattieri replied for the second-tier leaders, Abraham added the sixth from a tight angle.
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Milan players ‘ready’
“It was a very good performance,” Fonseca told Sport Mediaset, via Football Italia. “The first half was magnificent and also helped me to rest some players.
“I have only positive things to say as we took it very seriously. I am very satisfied with the attitude of the players. I always said that I have faith in all my players, which is why they all get to play.
“I am satisfied today, as some who haven’t played as much this season put in a great performance. They showed me they are ready and that is what I want.”
Post-match reaction from the gaffer 🎙️#MilanSassuolo #SempreMilan #CoppaItaliaFrecciarossa pic.twitter.com/WwrIciBJQi
— AC Milan (@acmilan) December 3, 2024
Milan results: ‘Real progress’
Milan started Fonseca’s reign with one win in five matches but are now unbeaten in seven and have suffered one defeat in their last 10.
“I told the players that the most important thing in these fixtures is to avoid relaxation,” said the Portuguese. “It was crucial we started strong with intensity, recovered the ball quickly and pressed high, and they did all of that.
“In the past, it was a problem caused by the attitude against the smaller teams, but today we showed real progress on that score. I can only be satisfied.
“I am responsible for everything that happens in this side and if we had the wrong attitude before, I will not try to run away from my responsibility for that.”
Seventh-placed Milan are four points behind sixth-placed Juventus with a game in hand. The Rossoneri visit second-placed Atalanta on Friday (7.45pm GMT).
