Italy international Domenico Berardi made his comeback for Sassuolo today for the first time since August 30, but it lasted just 22 minutes amid fears of a relapse.
He had made a strong start to the season until sustaining a femoral bicep strain in his left leg on August 30 during the 0-0 draw with Milan.
The captain finally made his return off the bench this evening against Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo and looked strong, unleashing a ferocious left-foot strike that cannoned off the crossbar.
However, he lasted only 22 minutes on the field before asking to be substituted, as he felt a twinge in his left flexor.
Berardi was visibly upset as he walked off, sitting on the bench with an ice pack strapped to the back of his left thigh.
Before the initial injury, Berardi had started the season with two goals in five games between Serie A and the Coppa Italia.