TIM Trophy Kicks Off with AC Milan vs Sassuolo

Italian pre-season football continues on Wednesday night with the annual TIM Trophy.

For the first 12 editions, the competing teams were Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan. For both 2013 and 2014, Inter decided not to participate, that gave Sassuolo an opportunity to join proceedings.

This tournament is unique as the teams play three round-robin 45-minute matches. If any match ends in a draw, it is decided by a penalty shoot-out.

Three points are awarded for a victory during regular play, with no points going to the loser. If the match is decided by penalties, the winner is awarded 2 points and the loser 1 point.

The organizers decide which two teams are to play in the first match of the evening. The third team will then play the losing team from the first match, and will end the tournament by playing the first-match winner.

The 14th edition of the tournament in 2014 was won by AC Milan, by sweeping both games in regulation time. Overall, Inter has eight wins, AC Milan now has 4 wins, while both Juventus and Sassuolo have one victory to show for their efforts.

In Italy, the TIM Trophy is often considered ‘unlucky’ by fans.

This is because only twice has the winner of the TIM Trophy won the Serie A title that season. In both cases, the team which achieved the double victory has been Inter.

On Wednesday AC Milan and Sassuolo will get the ball rolling before Inter will join the party in match number two.

Catch all the action on SuperSport 3 from 20:30.