When it comes to Italian soccer, most people think of the traditional powerhouses like Juventus, AC Milan or Inter Milan. However, one team that has been quietly making a name for itself in recent years is Sassuolo Calcio.
Located in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, Sassuolo was founded in 1920 but spent most of its history playing in lower divisions. It wasn’t until 2013 that they finally gained promotion to Serie A for the first time.
Since then, Sassuolo has established themselves as a solid mid-table team and even qualified for the Europa League once. What makes them unique is their style of play – an attacking brand of football that emphasizes possession and fluid movement.
Under coach Roberto De Zerbi, who took over in 2018, Sassuolo has become even more entertaining to watch. They finished last season with the fourth-highest goal total in Serie A despite not having any big-name stars on their roster.
One player who has stood out for Sassuolo recently is Domenico Berardi. The 26-year-old winger has been with the club since he was a teenager and has developed into one of Italy’s most exciting young talents.
Berardi had his best season yet last year with 17 goals and eight assists across all competitions. He also earned his first call-up to the Italian national team and scored on his debut against Armenia.
But Berardi isn’t alone – Sassuolo boasts several other talented players such as forward Francesco Caputo (who scored 21 goals last season) and midfielder Manuel Locatelli (a product of AC Milan’s youth academy).
What sets Sassuolo apart from some other smaller clubs is their commitment to developing young players. In addition to Locatelli, they have also produced talents like Gian Marco Ferrari (now at Sampdoria) and Stefano Sensi (currently at Inter Milan).
Off the field, Sassuolo is also doing things differently. They are one of the few Italian clubs to be owned by a woman – Carola Sole – and have made efforts to be environmentally friendly by installing solar panels at their stadium.
Despite all these positive developments, Sassuolo still faces challenges as a smaller club in Serie A. They don’t have the financial resources or global recognition that some other teams do, which makes it difficult to attract top talent or compete for major trophies.
But perhaps that’s what makes Sassuolo’s recent success even more impressive. They are proving that with smart management, solid coaching and a commitment to playing attractive football, even smaller clubs can make an impact in Italy’s top league.
Looking ahead to this season, there is reason for optimism among Sassuolo fans. The team has started off well with two wins and a draw in their first three games, including an impressive 4-1 victory over Spezia.
Of course, there is still a long way to go and plenty of tough opponents ahead. But if last season was any indication, Sassuolo could once again surprise people with their exciting style of play and youthful energy.
In conclusion, while they may not yet be household names outside of Italy, Sassuolo Calcio is definitely a team worth keeping an eye on. With their entertaining brand of football and dedication to developing young talent both on and off the field, they represent everything that’s great about soccer – passion, creativity and hard work.