ShareLuka Modric will play no further part in this Serie A season, but Massimiliano Allegri hopes AC Milan are inspired by his absence.Luka Modric will be absent for the remainder of the Serie A season, but Massimiliano Allegri hopes his passion can inspire AC Milan when they face Sassuolo.The 40-year-old will play no further part this term after suffering a fractured cheekbone in a challenge with Juventus' Manuel Locatelli during last weekend's goalless draw.Modric, who is reportedly set to extend his stay at San Siro, started 32 of the Rossoneri's 34 Serie A games, while his total of 2,788 minutes was more than he registered in any of his final five seasons with Real Madrid.Despite his absence, which puts his availability for this year's World Cup in doubt, Allegri is hopeful Milan can follow his example when they travel to MAPEI Stadium this weekend."We are very sorry for Modric's injury. He will remain out until the end of the season, even if he is eager to return."I hope that his passion was a great lesson for those who were close to him. [Ardon] Jashari or [Samuele] Ricci will replace him. I have full confidence in them."Six points clear of fifth-place Como with four games remaining, Milan are on course to secure a return to Champions League football next season.However, Allegri is aware of the threat posed by mid-table Sassuolo, who he believes have been a "revelation" under Fabio Grosso this campaign."We just have to give our best," the Milan boss added. "Sassuolo are a complicated opponent, Grosso is good, they have good players, they are the revelation of this championship."There are still six points left to mathematically qualify for the Champions League. We need great lucidity and great order because the goal cannot escape us."PLAYERS TO WATCHSassuolo – Domenico BerardiBerardi has scored 11 Serie A goals against Milan, his highest tally against a single opponent in the competition.Only five players have scored more goals against the Rossoneri in the Italian top flight: Stefano Nyers, Carlo Reguzzoni, Antonio Di Natale (all on 12), Enrico Chiesa (14) and Silvio Piola (22).AC Milan – Matteo GabbiaWith Gabbia on the pitch, Milan have lost just 4% of their Serie A matches this season (one of 26 – W15 D10), averaging 2.1 points per game.Meanwhile, the Rossoneri have lost 50% of their games in the division without him (four of eight), averaging just 1.5 points per match.MATCH PREDICTION: AC MILAN WINSassuolo have avoided defeat in six of their last eight Serie A matches against Milan (W3 D3), but have failed to beat the Rossoneri on home soil since March 2016 (D2 L6)Since matchday 22, only Inter (30), Napoli (26), Juventus (25) and Como (24) have collected more points in Serie A than Sassuolo (23).Sassuolo have won five of their last seven Serie A home matches (L2), and could record three consecutive top-flight wins at MAPEI Stadium for the first time since February-April 2022.Milan have failed to score in five of their last nine Serie A games, but have kept clean sheets in each of their two most recent outings, and it is that defensive solidity that could prove key if they are to get the win expected of them by the Opta supercomputer.OPTA WIN PROBABILITYSassuolo – 23.8%Draw – 23.6%AC Milan – 52.6%Luka Modric will play no further part in this Serie A season, but Massimiliano Allegri hopes AC Milan are inspired by his absence.Luka Modric will be absent for the remainder of the Serie A season, but Massimiliano Allegri hopes his passion can inspire AC Milan when they face Sassuolo.The 40-year-old will play no further part this term after suffering a fractured cheekbone in a challenge with Juventus' Manuel Locatelli during last weekend's goalless draw.Modric, who is reportedly set to extend his stay at San Siro, started 32 of the Rossoneri's 34 Serie A games, while his total of 2,788 minutes was more than he registered in any of his final five seasons with Real Madrid.Despite his absence, which puts his availability for this year's World Cup in doubt, Allegri is hopeful Milan can follow his example when they travel to MAPEI Stadium this weekend."We are very sorry for Modric's injury. He will remain out until the end of the season, even if he is eager to return."I hope that his passion was a great lesson for those who were close to him. [Ardon] Jashari or [Samuele] Ricci will replace him. I have full confidence in them."Six points clear of fifth-place Como with four games remaining, Milan are on course to secure a return to Champions League football next season.However, Allegri is aware of the threat posed by mid-table Sassuolo, who he believes have been a "revelation" under Fabio Grosso this campaign."We just have to give our best," the Milan boss added. "Sassuolo are a complicated opponent, Grosso is good, they have good players, they are the revelation of this championship."There are still six points left to mathematically qualify for the Champions League. We need great lucidity and great order because the goal cannot escape us."PLAYERS TO WATCHSassuolo – Domenico BerardiBerardi has scored 11 Serie A goals against Milan, his highest tally against a single opponent in the competition.Only five players have scored more goals against the Rossoneri in the Italian top flight: Stefano Nyers, Carlo Reguzzoni, Antonio Di Natale (all on 12), Enrico Chiesa (14) and Silvio Piola (22).AC Milan – Matteo GabbiaWith Gabbia on the pitch, Milan have lost just 4% of their Serie A matches this season (one of 26 – W15 D10), averaging 2.1 points per game.Meanwhile, the Rossoneri have lost 50% of their games in the division without him (four of eight), averaging just 1.5 points per match.MATCH PREDICTION: AC MILAN WINSassuolo have avoided defeat in six of their last eight Serie A matches against Milan (W3 D3), but have failed to beat the Rossoneri on home soil since March 2016 (D2 L6)Since matchday 22, only Inter (30), Napoli (26), Juventus (25) and Como (24) have collected more points in Serie A than Sassuolo (23).Sassuolo have won five of their last seven Serie A home matches (L2), and could record three consecutive top-flight wins at MAPEI Stadium for the first time since February-April 2022.Milan have failed to score in five of their last nine Serie A games, but have kept clean sheets in each of their two most recent outings, and it is that defensive solidity that could prove key if they are to get the win expected of them by the Opta supercomputer.OPTA WIN PROBABILITYSassuolo – 23.8%Draw – 23.6%AC Milan – 52.6%