‘Yes we can’, is how the official Neroverdi twitter account is hash-tagging all their tweets, after their incredible 2-0 away win over Atalanta.
Eusebio di Francesco magnificently masterminded an improbable victory and wrecked the record breaking run of the Oribici, with a great two goal salvo from Nicola Sansone. The young forward, for those of you that read last week’s Club Focus, made history (as far as we are aware) when he was asked his opinion by the match referee regarding whether Roma’s Mehdi Benatia had fouled him for a potential penalty.
His honesty was more than handsomely repaid as his goals have now given the club the belief that they can remain a top flight club. They are only three points off safety and morale will be high coming into this weekends fixture.
Sassuolo had not won on the road since last November and Bergamo was the unlikeliest of places to end that poor sequence. Given that Atalanta have one of the best home records in Serie A, this made the result even more satisfying. Stefano Colantuono’s men had only lost three times in front of their home fans up until Sunday, but a rampant Sansone was too hot to handle for the Bergamaschi.
As we have often said this season, putting to one side the disastrous five match tenure of Alberto Malesani, Sassuolo are continuing to play their progressive and attacking style of football regardless of opponent. Coach di Francesco has not regressed, even at this delicate stage of the season, into a safety first approach as he rolls out his 433 formation week after week.
He told reporters that he gives his side a 50% chance of staying up come May and surely he must be applauded for having given his side these incredible odds, given that most football experts had long since written off their survival chances. If they do save themselves, it will have been achieved by trying to win games rather than attempting to 
avoid defeat
Remarkably, the young front three of Simone Zaza, Domenico Berardi and Sansone are overshadowing the experienced Sergio Floccari and Antonio Floro Flores who have now become the bit part squad players. If the club does stay up, it will be down to the goals that these ‘kids’ score within the di Francesco aggressive style of play.
The fairy tale continues and what a story it is becoming, as the excitement to this 2013/14 campaign is at the bottom rather than the top of the league table.
This weekend, Difra must work on gaining another three points at home to a very downtrodden Cagliari. The Sardinians are in poor form which has culminated in the sacking of coach Diego Lopez this week.
Ivo Pulga has been entrusted in ensuring the islanders do not get sucked into the relegation battle and will have to lift his players in spectacular fashion if he is to please his new employer Massimo Cellino.
Sassuolo do have some personnel issues to contend with as currently they have only two fit centre backs in Luca Antei and Pedro Mendes. Skipper Paolo Cannavaro is suspended and will miss out whilst Thomas Manfredini, Lorenzo Ariaudo, Paolo Bianco and Emanuele Terranova are all struggling with injury.
The midfield and attack is almost certain to remain as it was against Atalanta and the coach will be hoping for an assured performance at the Mapei Stadium. With a tough run-in, winning games like this are critical to achieving the holy grail that is ‘La Salvezza’.
To conclude this week, we are going to attribute the ‘Yes we can’ mantra to another story focused with Sassuolo. Defender Francesco Acerbi has beaten cancer for the second time and is expected to be available for selection over the next couple of weeks. This is heart warming news to everyone connected with the player and the club and it will be a memorable day when Acerbi pulls on his club shirt having won his own personal battle for the year.
So, it’s not only forza Sasol but forza Acerbi too… Yes we can!
Follow Enzo Misuraca on Twitter: @enzom_fif
