Sassuolo v Cagliari – Preview: Master versus Apprentice

Date: 29th August 2014 at 11:11pm
Written by:

Sassuolo play host to Cagliari at Mapei Stadium on Sunday evening in what promised to be a Serie A goalfest. 

Both teams enter the new campaign with boosted confidence as Sassuolo and Cagliari have beaten Cittadella and Catania, respectively, in the third round of Coppa Italia.

Last season, the both matches between these two teams ended in draws, 2-2 in December then 1-1 in April, with Sassuolo, having to come from behind to square the things off.

Eusebio Di Francesco is looking to consolidate Sassuolo’s place in Serie A, after he successfully managed to help the struggling Neroverdi aviod relegation following his reappointment as coach in March. Over at the Stadio Sant’Elia, Cagliari will be an entirely new animal with the arrival of Zeman, which has given the Sardinian side new optimism and confidence after years of off field stadium issues. 

Cagliari have acquired Pescara defender Marco Capuano as a replacement for departed Davide Astori, with young striker, Samuele Longo arriving on loan from Inter. Brazilian, Diego Farias, who spent last season on loan at Sassuolo from Chievo, is expected to make his debut for the Rossoblu at the weekend.

The biggest boost for Sassuolo came as Juventus agreed Neroverdi’s request to keep forward Domenico Berardi in Emilia-Romagna for one more season. In addition, Sassuolo have strengthened all over the field aquiring defenders, Sime Vrsaljko from Genoa and Federico Peluso from Juventus, while Jasmin Kurtic and striker Leonardo Pavoletti both returned from loan spells at Torino and Varese respectively. Plus Simone Zaza and Nicola Sansone are always dangerous and will have to be watched by Zeman’s side.

Both the coaches, Di Francesco and Zeman, are expected to field their much-trusted 4-3-3 formation in the fixture, with the former a self styled disciple of Zeman. Berardi, Sansone and Sergio Floccari are thought to be starting up front for Sassuolo, while Marco Sau and Andrea Cossu are expected to lead the line for Cagliari.

Having already spent a season at top flight, Sassuolo will be hoping to keep well away from the relegation zone this term. Meanshile Cagliari hopes Zeman’s arrival have been boosted with the prospect of some free flowing attacking football, coupled with a few defensive horror shows.

Expected Starting XIs

Sassuolo – Pomini; Vrsaljko, Antei, Ariaudo, Peluso; Kurtic, Magnanelli, Missiroli; Sansone, Floccari, Berardi.

Cagliari – Colombi; Pisano, Ceppitelli, Benedetti, Murru; Crisetig, Conti, Ekdal; Farias, Sau, Cossu.

 

Comments are closed.