Sassuolo will look to end their run of five games without a win when they host Spezia in the Coppa Italia. With a last-16 match against Atalanta BC on the line, the teams will be in Reggio Emilia.
Preview (Sassuolo vs. Spezia)
Despite their recent back-to-back victories against Serie A powerhouses Juventus and Inter, Sassuolo has fallen to the bottom half of the rankings in Serie A after only managing two points from their last four games. The Neroverdi’s confidence was low going into their Emilian derby against Bologna this past weekend after they drew with Lecce in between losing at home to Monza and Lazio. Joshua Zirkzee’s incredible first touch and finish put them behind as early as the third minute. But shortly before the half, Daniel Boloca made a comeback. Sassuolo had to settle for a 1-1 tie, finishing 15th in the standings after ten rounds of play.
Head coach Alessio Dionisi knows that his squad needs to improve its defense if it hopes to contend for a top-half finish this season, as they have now given up at least one goal in each of the previous 18 league games. They began their Coppa Italia campaign in August with a thrilling 5-2 victory against Cosenza. It followed a last-minute goal allowed by the Neroverdi. They scored three goals past their 10-man opponents in extra time. They will travel to Torino on Monday. Similar to Sassuolo, Spezia is a provincial outsider who has never won Italy’s national cup. However, their primary goal for this season is to immediately return to Serie A.
The Aquilotti were demoted following a dramatic playoff matchup with Hellas Verona at the conclusion of a difficult 2022–23 season. Having only one victory in their first ten games, they are now close to the drop zone. Massimiliano Alvini’s team has a lot of work ahead of them in Serie B after three straight draws in October. Spezia has only scored eight goals in the league. The Ligurian team’s upcoming match against Alvini’s previous employers, Cremonese, is another relegated team. However, first things first, cup football may help reduce the burden on a struggling team.
Team News
Alessio Dionisi will make some changes to his lineup midweek with an eye toward a crucial match against Torino. Among those scheduled for rest is the injury-prone Domenico Berardi. He scored the game-winning spot-kick when these clubs met earlier this year. As a result, bench players like Samuele Mulattieri, Alessio Cragno, and Cristian Volpato, who is on loan from Roma, could start. Matheus Henrique (hamstring), Pedro Obiang (thigh), and Augustin Alvarez (ACL) will all be missing for Dionisi once more. However, Mattia Viti returned to the bench last weekend after being sidelined due to an adductor issue.
The primary fitness concern for Spezia, meanwhile, is the absence of former Sassuolo midfielder Filippo Bandinelli, who has been practicing alone due to a shoulder ailment that kept him out of Saturday’s Serie B match against Cosenza. More encouragingly, Daniele Verde and German center-back Lukas Muhl are almost ready to play again and could be ready to start soon. As one of just three players to have scored more than once for the Aquilotti this season. Luca Moro, who is now on loan from Thursday’s hosts, will be hoping to start against his parent club.
Even a significantly altered Sassuolo team should have little trouble navigating their way into the Coppa Italia last 16 given Spezia’s lack of danger in the closing third. Alessio Dionisi, who also has some intriguing possibilities on the bench, will be looking to push a few members of the team.
Sassuolo 2 – 0 Spezia
For more football previews, click here
