It’s an intriguing relegation battle this evening between unpredictable Sassuolo” data-scaytid=”1″>Sassuolo and an Empoli” data-scaytid=”2″>Empoli side eager to make amends.
The opening Serie A Week 9 fixture kicks off at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
It’s an intriguing relegation battle this evening between unpredictable Sassuolo and an Empoli side eager to make amends.
The opening Serie A Week 9 fixture kicks off at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Sassuolo stayed in the top flight last season despite a 7-0 defeat to Inter and could well repeat the trick, as on Saturday they got their first win of the campaign, crushing Parma 3-1 at the Stadio Tardini.
They have several important figures absent, including Italy striker Simone Zaza, Paolo Cannavaro, Gianluca Pegolo, Lorenzo Ariaudo and Thomas Manfredini.
Sergio Floccari therefore starts in the trident attack with Domenico Berardi and Nicola Sansone.
There was a very special moment at the weekend for defender Francesco Acerbi, who scored a goal for the first time since making his comeback from two bouts of testicular cancer.
Empoli had been undefeated in five rounds before a shock 4-0 home loss to Cagliari on Saturday.
Shaken from that setback, the Tuscans will be eager to make amends, especially against one of the other candidates for the drop.
Luigi Sepe is still out of action, but youngsters Piotr Zielinski and Manuel Pucciarelli spearhead the front line with veteran Massimo Maccarone.
Sassuolo: Consigli; Gazzola, Terranova, Acerbi, Peluso; Taider, Magnanelli, Missiroli; Berardi, Floccari, Sansone
Sassuolo bench: Polito, Pomini, Bianco, Antei, Longhi, Chibsah, Brighi, Biondini, Gliozzi, Pavoletti, Floro Flores
Empoli: Bassi; Hysaj, Tonelli, Rugani, Mario Rui; Vecino, Valdifiori, Croce; Zielinski, Pucciarelli, Maccarone
Empoli bench: Pugliesi, Biggeri, Laurini, Barba, Bianchetti, Signorelli, Moro, Laxalt, Mchedlidze, Aguirre, Tavano, Rovini