Milan held by Sassuolo after Rabiot’s opener is cancelled out five minutes later

Milan missed the chance to move into third place in Serie A after being held to a 1-1 draw by Sassuolo on Sunday.

Adrien Rabiot put the visitors ahead in the 63rd minute, but Cas Odenthal equalised five minutes later to earn Sassuolo a share of the points.

The result leaves Milan fourth with 12 points from six matches, while Sassuolo move on to eight points and sit 10th.

The first half was disrupted by a series of injuries and ended goalless, despite both sides creating opportunities. Sassuolo began the match with greater intensity, while Milan took time to establish control of possession.

Milan were forced into an early change in the 20th minute when Matteo Gabbia was carried from the pitch on a stretcher after suffering an injury in the 18th minute. Koni De Winter replaced him.

Sassuolo were then required to make an early substitution of their own six minutes later. Vedi Lesn left the field injured, with Cas Odenthal coming on in his place.

Rabiot came close to opening the scoring in the 32nd minute, but his header flew over the crossbar. Sassuolo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric then produced two important saves from Goncalo Ramos late in the half before keeping out a Strahinja Pavlovic header in added time.

Milan manager Ruben Amorim responded at half-time by bringing on Luka Modric for Pervis Estupinan in an attempt to improve his side’s control in midfield.

The visitors eventually broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute. Modric supplied Rabiot, who drove a powerful shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle inside the penalty area.

Their lead lasted only five minutes. Sassuolo levelled in the 68th minute when Odenthal reacted quickest in a crowded area after Armand Lauriente’s corner had been flicked on by Josh Doig. He finished from close range to restore parity.

Both teams had chances after the equaliser. Domenico Berardi sent one effort over the crossbar, while Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan made two important saves from Sassuolo attempts in the 65th minute.

Sassuolo thought they had scored again in the 88th minute, but the goal was disallowed after the referee had already blown for fouls inside the penalty area.

Neither side could find a winner in the closing stages, ensuring the points were shared.