Sassuolo have moved into second place in the Serie A table, after they coming back from a goal down to beat Empoli 3-1 on Friday night at the Mapei Stadium.
It took Empoli’s Francesco Caputo just 18 seconds to break the deadlock, but Kevin Prince Boateng just another 12 minutes to equalise. However, it was Gianmarco Ferrari who decided the game, heading home from a corner kick in the second half, before Federico Di Francesco’s back heel wonderstrike rounded things off for the Neroverdi.
A fun game between two teams who play attacking football was expected, and that’s what we got. There were chances galore for both sides, with Empoli being the most wasteful, especially in the first half.
Miha Zajc’s sending off after a second yellow for diving with 20 minutes to go was the nail in the coffin for Empoli. Interestingly, Sassuolo have played Empoli at home in Serie A four times, winning all four and scoring three goals in each.
THE SKY IS THE LIMIT
Attacking football, a solid midfield and the leadership of Boateng. The Neroverdi have the right ingredients to kill off the relegation battle early on this season, and focus on a bigger prize. They can definitely aim for a top half finish, and if their ambition combines with results, they could even fight for a Europa League spot. They loved it a couple of seasons ago, so why not try again?
STEFANO SENSI
Yes, it was Boateng and Ferrari who got the goals, but the young midfielder was all over the pitch, working hard at the back and delighting the fans with a series of exquisite touches, making Sassuolo’s football neatly fluid and tremendously efficient. The Mapei Stadium gave him a standing ovation when he was subbed off, and if he continues on this trajectory he deserves more playing and even a spot in Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri squad.
WASTEFUL EMPOLI
They scored immediately – Caputo scoring the ninth quickest goal in Serie A history – and then started with the usual passing game that has been so entertaining in these first Serie A matches. But in football you need to score in order to win. And to stay up Empoli will have to do better when it comes to it.
The Azzurri had plenty of chances to beat Andrea Consigli, and only managed to score with Caputo’s early goal. Playing Miha Zajc behind two strikers – with Antonino La Gumina lining up next to Caputo – produced a lot of opportunities, but none of the strikers were able to take them. This can happen for a couple of games, but if it lasts for chunks of the season, it usually means getting relegated. With seen this in the past: an entertaining team who are unable to score. A massive problem that needs solving.
