Sassuolo coach Alessio Dionisi confirms Domenico Berardi is out of tomorrow’s Serie A match against Juventus. ‘We have to raise the tempo, otherwise we’ve got no chance.’
It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium on Sunday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).
The Neroverdi had surged up the table with a series of positive results, but then fumbled a lead to lose 2-1 at Verona in stoppages.
“Berardi was forced off during that game with a slight injury and he won’t be there tomorrow, but we hope to have him back soon,” said the coach in his press conference.
“We’ll have either Nedim Bajrami or Gregoire Defrel in place of Berardi, it depends on how we want to approach it, as they have different characteristics. I haven’t chosen yet.
“In certain ways, the team motivates itself in games like this. We are also angry after the defeat to Verona, because we shot ourselves in the foot, creating so many chances and not taking them. It’s a pity, but we want to take that anger out in the next few games.”
Juventus might be distracted by the Europa League quarter-final, having beaten Sporting CP 1-0 on Thursday and preparing for the second leg next week.
“Although they are missing several players, we are still talking about Juve, who are more accustomed than anyone to playing every three days. We don’t think they’ll be distracted or tired, although naturally we hope that might be the case.
“Sassuolo will try to win the match, which won’t be easy because Juventus generally don’t concede many. We’ve got to raise the tempo, because if it slows down, we have no chance.”