Alessio Dionisi explained how his Sassuolo went from losing to Frosinone to picking up back-to-back wins over Juventus and Inter, underlining how ‘the lessons served us well’.
The Neroverdi have been an inconsistent force in the early stages of this campaign, picking up three wins and three losses from their opening six Serie A games. The team lost to Atalanta, Napoli and Frosinone but beat Hellas Verona, Juventus and Inter.
Sassuolo kept a hold of star winger Domenico Berardi in the summer, despite interest from Juventus and Lazio, and he’s started the season in flying fashion, scoring four goals and providing one assist in his four appearances.
Speaking on page 15 of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Dionisi first explained how Sassuolo managed to bounce back against Juventus and Inter after their loss to Frosinone.
“In Frosinone we made a mistake in the second half, showing an attitude that wasn’t that of a team. The lessons served us well and the following victories must give us awareness. In Frosinone some moments went wrong and instead against Juve we were luckier.
“We played in a mature way against Inter, growing in the second half and creating a lot. That’s why it would be reductive to say that at San Siro only Berardi won. I’ll add one thing, I have a squad of intelligent guys, their understanding of the bad performance in Frosinone was high.
“To overcome the disappointment, we relied on work, which in the end convinces and drags everyone along. And as a coach, even more than the performance at San Siro, it makes me happy to see how the boys presented themselves on the pitch, their heads were right.”
The Sassuolo coach was then asked if Berardi was currently the best Italian player.
“Difficult to make comparisons between roles. In my ideal Serie A formation Mimmo is definitely there.
“That goal at San Siro was his play, but, as with Robben, no one can limit him because Berardi is capable of doing anything.
“He has so much football in him that I could put him in midfield. The outside ball for Lauriente against Juve is crazy.”
Sassuolo currently sit ninth in the Serie A table with nine points. Their next game is against Monza on October 2.