Carlos Bacca's first-half penalty proved enough to lift AC Milan back into sixth place following a scrappy 1-0 victory over 10-man Bologna.
The Rossoneri were last week dislodged from the final likely Europa League berth by surprise package Sassuolo, and Cristian Brocchi's men needed to react strongly at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.
Their task was made easier by Amadou Diawara, the Bologna player who was sent off early in the game, and Angelo da Costa's foul on Luiz Adriano allowed Bacca to convert from the spot.
Sassuolo can return to sixth with victory at relegation-threatened Frosinone on Sunday afternoon.
Bologna were up against it as soon as Diawara saw red in the 12th minute. The Guinean midfielder had been booked five minutes before earning a second yellow card for fouling Riccardo Montolivo.
Poor discipline cut the Rossoblu deeper six minutes before the break as goalkeeper Da Costa's sloppy challenge on Luiz Adriano saw a spot-kick awarded to Milan.
Colombian striker Bacca made no mistake in bringing up his 17th goal of the season.
The second half took a while to get going with Bacca enjoying the first solid opportunity as he headed Davide Calabria's cross just wide.
Bologna threatened in the 65th minute when Daniele Gastadello fluffed the chance to level by glancing the ball against a post.
The toil continued until three minutes from time. Philippe Mexes might have made it 2-0 to rubber-stamp the three points but his powerful volley found Da Costa's fingertips and was flicked over.