Serie A Preview: Focus on US Sassuolo

US Sassuolo





Style of Play: Zeman's balls out attacking 4-3-3, la seconda parte



Background:

Sassoulo is a small city of around 40 thousand in Emilia-Romagna and known as the hub of Italian ceramic tile production as well as being the birthplace of favorite 60s Italian ye-ye girl singer Caterina Caselli. While enjoying a bustling economy, it's also a locale which the A-1 interstate freeway actually avoids on its route from Bologna to Modena to Parma.










US Sassuolo, founded in 1922, reached the top flight of Italian football for the first time last season. After an odd stint of letting manager Eusebio Di Francesco and his new Dolce & Gabbana glasses go after giving up goals galore to begin to season, they brought him back to the delight of calcio fans everywhere and the Neroverdi established themselves as one of the most enjoyable sides in Europe which few have ever seen play.
Eusebio Di Francesco, 44, learned his trade under Zdenek Zeman (and a year under Luciano Spalletti as well) and doesn't disappoint with a similarly all out attacking 4-3-3.




The club enjoys a pretty strong financial backing for its size and though that will hardly help them hold onto Zaza and Berardi they have brought in a number of solid veteran players and experienced younger ones (Sime Vrsaljko and Federico Peluso) to shore up the frail defense behind their young attack. All odds were against them staying up last year but they managed it with a late season push and if Zaza and Berardi continue to improve this is a squad that may actually dream of a spot near the top 10. Whatever happens, even if it's giving up a half dozen to bigger teams here and there, they'll provide some exciting calcio on the way.





Younger players to watch:

SIMONE ZAZA (23, Italy, Striker) that Zaza has likely moved ahead of Balotelli for a spot in the NT lineup after being given a chance in 2 matches doesn't surprise the 4 or 5 of us who watched Sassuolo much last season.


DOMENICO BERARDI (19, Italy, Striker) That he's been heralded as the future striker of the Italian NT and that his teammate Zaza may have emerged as the one to beat for one of those spots gives you an idea of their attacking talent which will probably be seen as similar to when Zeman had Verratti, Insigne and Immobile at Pescara.





NICOLA SANSONE (23, Italy, attacking midfielder) Sansone has always been a fringe talent with a lot of interest. While good at Parma, he took a huge step forward after moving to Sassoulo last winter.

LUCA ANTEI (22, Italy, CB) In the trial by fire this system creates, the Roma loan - youth product Antei was exceptional last year in his smooth tackles and possession/passing out of the back. He'll need to improve his reading of the game as this system does often mean a jailbreak coming your way against better sides.

SAPHIR TAIDER (22, Algeria, Att Midfielder) Probably not a starter but Inter may profit from him ending up at Sassoulo after his loan to Southampton didn't work out. He's likely to improve significantly and put up bigger numbers in the process in Sassoulo's fluid attack if he's able to check his attitude.