The Neroverdi’s positive points scoring streak came to an abrupt end on Sunday at the hands of Chievo, as a solitary Cyril Thereau strike decided the contest.
The atmospheric conditions were quite terrible as a thick fog descended over the Stadio Mappei, which not only clouded the view but also the performance of the Sassuolo team.
Coach Eusebio di Francesco was quite phelgmatic over the 1-0 home reverse and conceded that the Verona side was simply better on the day. EDF went on to tell RaiSport, “We were not our normal selves today and we didn’t really create Chievo any problems. It was a game decided by a single incident. Let’s just say it has been a blurry day in every sense of the word.”
The defeat has allowed Chievo to leapfrog Sassuolo in terms of league table standings and potentially exerts a new pressure on the team, given they play Juventus on Saturday. Not that a defeat to the Bianconeri is in any way an unthinkable occurrence, but more that a second successive loss would undo much of the good progress that has been made since the 7-0 battering at the hands of Inter some weeks ago.
The Emiliani do have a good record against the ‘big boys’, having already earned draws with Napoli and Roma. Secondly, Antonio Conte has some pressing issues of his own this week as he prepares for the decisive Champions League match against Galatasaray.
By the time you are reading this Club Focus, Italy’s current scudetto holders will be either buoyed with confidence having qualified for the next phase or depressed in defeat should they have fallen at the first European hurdle.
Regardless of the outcome, it would be safe to say that the Old Lady will have other things on her mind and that the visit of Sassuolo will not have been the week’s top priority.
In stark contrast, di Francesco can prepare completely for his trip to Turin and has no such distractions. However, it’s not so straightforward as his side will have to play without Domenico Berardi who sits out his fourth Serie A game due to a suspension.
The young forward has been in magnificent form of late and his absence from the lineup will be a huge blow. Though this does suggest the youngster still has temperament issues that he really must get to grips with.
Juve have not conceded a goal in seven league outings, so missing your main striker is not going to make things any easier for the Neroverdi.
The formation chosen by the coach will also be of interest as of late he has opted for a quite aggressive 3-4-3. But, in light of Berardi’s ban and given the might of the opponent, we may well see last season’s Serie B champions adopt a more conservative 3-5-2 which may convert to a 5-3-2 when Juventus have possession.
The two clubs do have a few things in common despite the gulf in top flight history. Should patron Giorgio Squinzi be successful in his bid to own their stadium outright, Sassuolo and Juventus will be the only two teams in Italy that can boast such a thing.
The two squads also have players that are tied to both clubs in the aforementioned Berardi, Simone Zaza and Luca Marrone.
It does have the makings of an intriguing encounter and should Juventus get caught up in their European adventures then the chance of a major upset, no matter how slight, is surely a possibility.
And as long as the weather remains clear then who knows, pigs just might fly.
The donkeys certainly did.
Forza Sasol!
