WOMEN, AC MILAN v SASSUOLO: MATCH PREVIEW

The break is over, and the Serie A Femminile is back. The Rossonere will host Sassuolo on Matchday 8 of the 2024/25 season. The objective is clear: to get back to winning ways after a tough defeat against Roma last time round. The team is training well, has demonstrated great progress in the past weeks and everyone has worked hard during the break. Tomorrow, Sunday 3 November at 18:00 CET, the team will face the challenge head-on. Here are all the info on the match before it begins. 

LATEST FROM PUMA HOUSE OF FOOTBALL
A two-week break saw some of the Rossonere training at the PUMA House of Football, but also some playing for their respective national teams. Julie Piga debuted for the Azzurre, Ijeh scored her first goal for Switzerland and Renzotti her first for the Italy U23s. In the last few days, the team has regathered in full as they prepare for the match on Sunday. Chanté Dompig, however, will not be playing as she recovers from injuries sustained during the away match against Roma. 

Coach Bakker: "The break allowed the girls who were with the National Team to have a international experience, while those who stayed here played a friendly and were able to prepare for the new series of matches. We continue on our path with enthusiasm and determination. Against Sassuolo will be tough, despite their position in the standings. We have to stay focused and it is crucial to make the most of our opportunities."

LATEST FROM PUMA HOUSE OF FOOTBALL
Gian Loris Rossi's Neroverdi have had a tougher-than-expected start of the season, with six defeats in seven games. They are now in a delicate place, but the international break should have helped the Emilian side in regrouping and re-energising the team. Their only point so far this season came from an away game against Roma, back-to-back Champions of Italy. It has been a stark comparison to their last season, when Sassuolo finished in the top five and qualified for the Championship Round, eventually ending up in fourth place. 

PRE-MATCH STATS

AC Milan have only lost twice to Sassuolo in Serie A in 11 games (5W, 4D, 2L). That is the lowest loss-rate (18%) compared to our stats against all the teams that we have faced at least 10 times in the league. AC Milan has the second highest percentage of completed dribbles in the league this season (43%, behind Sampdoria's 46%), whilst Sassuolo has the lowest (37%).  Julie Piga has completed the most number of passes in Serie A this season (582, at least 73 more than anyone else).  Two of the three youngest players who have at least one assist this season will meet at the match: Emma Girotto (February 2006) and Monica Renzotti (February 2005). Zara Kramzar (January 2006) sits between them two.