Sassuolo defeated Modena 2-0 at the Mapei Stadium on Saturday evening to progress to the fourth round of the Coppa Italia.
Second half goals from Diego Falcinelli and Antonio Floro Flores were enough to ease Eusebio Di Francesco’s men into the next round.
The early stages of the local derby didn’t produce much in the way of goalmouth action, however Hernan Crespo’s Serie B side did show signs that they weren’t about to roll over for their Serie A opponents.
A couple of early forays forward from the Canarini woke their opponents up and on 12 minutes Nicola Sansone had the first chance of the game but could only head against the woodwork from Sime Vrsaljko’s cross.
Despite this scare the away side continued to look like they could pose a threat going forward and were holding their own as the first half reached the mid-way point.
As the half wore on Pablo Granoche was looking eager for the visitors, the Uruguayan striker getting caught offside a couple of times but ultimately being unable to trouble Andrea Consigli in the Neroverdi goal.
The first half came to an uneventful end with the sides deadlocked at 0-0.
It didn’t take long for the home side to react to Di Francesco’s half-time team talk and on 52 minutes they took the lead through Falcinelli, the 24-year-old tapping in after Niccolo Manfredini had spilled Alfred Duncan’s shot.
The Neroverdi almost doubled their lead eight minutes later when Falcinelli saw an effort fly just wide.
On 67 minutes they did get their second goal with substitute Floro Flores lobbing past Manfredini.
Sassuolo appeared happy to settle on their lead and they kept their opponents at bay to seal the 2-0 victory.
Di Francesco’s men now progress to the fourth round where they will face either Trapani or Cagliari.
