Sassuolo completed a second half comeback from 0-2 to defeat Cesena 3-2 at the Mapei Stadium on Sunday in Serie A action, mathematically sending the Cavallucci Marini to Serie B.
The home team took the lead through Gregoire Defrel before Franco Brienza doubled the advantage with a great solo effort, however Sassuolo turned things around in the second half as strikes from Simone Zaza, Saphir Taider and Simone Missiroli completed a sensational comeback to give the Neroverdi all three points.
The Cavallucci Marini took the lead with the first real chance on of the match when Emmanuel Cascione found Defrel, who was able to get in behind Francesco Acerbi, before tucking the ball into the back of the net for his seventh goal of the season.
Sassuolo tried to fight back straight away but could only muster a couple of blocked shots. Cesena were put under pressure for an extended period but managed to alleviate it by delivering a second sucker punch just before the half hour mark.
This time Defrel turned provider as he fed a ball to Brienza who turned Peluso and beat Andrea Consigli with a shot at the near post to make it 2-0.
The end of the first half slowly fizzled out with the Neroverdi offering little in attack, however things changed once the second half got under way.
It was Zaza who got things started as he beat two defenders in the area before slotting past Federico Agliardi to cut the Neroverdi’s deficit in half.
Their quick-fire double was completed shortly after as a great Sassuolo team move saw Berardi find Taider, with the Algerian firing home to level the score at 2-2.
Cesena tried to find an immediate response through Cascione as he headed Francesco Renzetti’s cross but his effort went over the woodwork.
However it would be the Neroverdi who would strike again and complete their magnificent comeback on 70 minutes when Missiroli robbed the ball off Cesena substitute Andrea Tabanelli and fired an unstoppable effort into the top corner to complete the comeback for the away side.
Cesena tried desperately to find an equaliser but Tabanelli was not able to convert a chance after finding himself in a one-on-one situation with Consigli.
The Sassuolo defence would hold firm for the remaining minutes to secure all three points, and with Atalanta’s 3-2 victory over Palermo, condemn Cesena to Serie B for next season.
