Sassuolo Defeat Is Significant Warning for AC Milan and Filippo Inzaghi

Milan's 2-1 loss at the San Siro to Sassuolo was hardly the way Filippo Inzaghi wanted to open up the new calendar year, especially after going undefeated in three games against Real Madrid, Roma and Napoli.

These are the points lost that really hinder Milan's chances of getting to that third spot. What's even sadder for the club's supporters is that it's hard to even argue that Milan deserved a point against the much smaller Serie A side.

There was a glimmer of hope for the Rossoneri after they were able to keep two consecutive clean sheets against both Roma and Napoli to finish the 2014 calendar year.

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They augmented their run with an impressive 4-2 win against Real Madrid in a friendly, which you'd assume would give the side some more confidence going forward.

Instead, Milan came out flat and uninspired against Sassuolo. An early Rossoneri goal did nothing but invigorate Sassuolo, and they scored on their only two chances on goal. 

Milan's defense also had a much different look, with Adil Rami playing as the right-back in place of the iffy Ignazio Abate.

Unfortunately for Milan, Alex and Cristian Zapata weren't able to keep Sassuolo's dynamic attacking trident under control.

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Como con un pincel dibujó Berardi este pase a Sansone para que el ariete definiera frente al AC Milan (@MaxCordaro) https://t.co/hVrMSvkxFZ

— The Chips (@TheChips_Futbol) January 6, 2015"

Rami and Alex were gutted as Domenico Berardi found a perfect ball into the box for a streaking Nicola Sansone. Alex fell asleep on the play and didn't stay with Sansone's run.

On the second goal, it was again Alex and Rami who allowed Simone Zaza this time to be completely open on a corner kick. The young striker rifled in a volley to make it 2-1.

These types of defensive miscues simply won't get it done. Conceding two goals at home against Sassuolo is unacceptable.

When a Milan result has fans clamoring for the return of Philippe Mexes, you know things have taken a turn for the worst. 

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More than anything, the attack seemed stagnant, and the duo of Jeremy Menez and Stephan El Shaarawy looked lost when Sassuolo sat back and defended. Both of these players excel in open space, especially on the counter. The match was crying out for a player like Giampaolo Pazzini, who can score the poacher-type goal and really make the most of the steady stream of crosses going into the box.

This can't even be put on the coach. Milan were without a third of their usual starting XI due to injuries or national cups. Inzaghi has had to tinker far too much, and he hasn't really been able to count on a set starting XI on a consistent basis.

Milan have a tricky match in Turin against Torino coming up and will need all three points if they are to stay with the pack that's trailing Juventus and Roma.