Sassuolo are undefeated in 11 of their last 12 Serie A matches as the Neroverdi travel to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris for Sunday’s encounter with seventh place Genoa.
Despite sitting four places ahead of Sassuolo, Genoa are only three points better off. The Grifone have had a torrid time since their eight match unbeaten run in the autumn and the team are winless in five of their last six in all competitions.
Genoa have given up ten goals during that stretch and have found the back of the net difficult to find.
Last Sunday’s loss to Inter showed a team unable to defend set pieces as two of the Nerazzurri’s goals came from corners. The return of Facundo Roncaglia from suspension could help the Grifone’s suffering back line as both Nicolas Burdisso and Sebastien De Maio struggled mightily a week ago.
While Roncaglia returns from suspension, De Maio will serve a one match ban thanks to an accumulation of yellow cards. This should see Armando Izzo stay in the starting XI as he continues to impress this season. The 22-year-old has been a steady influence on the side. Though he has only made six appearances, the central defender is yet to pick up a yellow card.
While Genoa will be without De Maio on Sunday, the team will be hurt more by the absence of star striker Alessandro Matri. The Italian has been ruled out for 45 days due to a calf injury sustained against Inter. Matri is a major loss as Genoa are without another out-and-out striker.
The club loaned Mauricio Pinilla to Atalanta at the beginning of the January mercato and will most likely play winger Maxime Lestienne as a false No. 9. Genoa have been linked with former player Marco Borriello, but his arrive will not be in time for Sassuolo’s arrival; if he arrives at all.
In addition, January signing Tino Costa has been ruled out for the next month with a similar leg injury to Matri’s.
Sassuolo will be missing several key players from their defence on Sunday. Former Genoa player Sime Vrsaljko and Paolo Cannavaro are suspended; meanwhile, Gianluca Pegolo, Federico Peluso and Saphir Taider are unavailable.
While Sassuolo’s defence will be undermanned, Genoa will be concerned with stopping Neroverdi striker Simone Zaza.
Zaza is the in form striker in Serie A and has scored five goals in his last five games. The striker now has seven goals this season and is peaking for the Neroverdi.
Both teams are missing key players, but a win for Sassuolo and the club could make a second half of the season push for European football next term. However, a win for Genoa might see the Grifone rediscover the form that had them sitting third not too long ago.
Form Guide: Genoa (W-W-L-L-D-L) Sassuolo (W-D-L-D-W-D)
Expected Starting XIs
Genoa: Perin, Roncaglia, Burdisso, Izzo, Rosi, Rincon, Bertolacci, Antonelli, Falque, Kucka, Lestienne
Sassuolo: Consigli, Gazzola, Terranova, Acerbi, Longhi, Brighi, Magnanelli, Missiroli, Berardi, Floro Flores, Zaza
