Sassuolo are again decimated by an injury crisis, so change formation to 3-5-2 as they host Rapid Vienna.
It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium at 18.00 GMT, follow the action from today’s Italian Europa League competitors on the LIVEBLOG.
Group F is extremely tight, as Genk lead on six points, Sassuolo and Rapid have four each, followed by Athletic Club Bilbao on three.
Sassuolo are again decimated by an injury crisis, so change formation to 3-5-2 as they host Rapid Vienna.
It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium at 18.00 GMT, follow the action from today’s Italian Europa League competitors on the LIVEBLOG.
Group F is extremely tight, as Genk lead on six points, Sassuolo and Rapid have four each, followed by Athletic Club Bilbao on three.
Considering the Neroverdi’s massive injury problems and that it’s their debut continental campaign, it’s remarkable they have done so well thus far.
All three of Sassuolo’s European home games have been 3-0 victories, including the preliminary round, so they’ll hope to ride the home advantage to another three points.
These sides drew 1-1 in Vienna two weeks ago, but among those missing tonight are Domenico Berardi, Alfred Duncan, Paolo Cannavaro, Francesco Magnanelli, Simone Missiroli, Tim Letschert and Luca Antei.
Eusebio Di Francesco hasn’t the men left for a 4-3-3, so opts for a 3-5-2 with Pol Lirola and Claud Adjapong in wide roles, Gregoire Defrel and Alessandro Matri upfront.
Rapid Vienna showed in the reverse fixture that the pace and power of Joelinton can cause real problems, but it was Stefan Schwab who got the opening goal.
This is Rapid’s 10th visit to Italian soil and so far they’ve come away with just one draw.
Sassuolo: Consigli; Gazzola, Acerbi, Peluso; Lirola, Pellegrini, Biondini, Ragusa, Adjapong; Defrel, Matri
Sassuolo bench: Pegolo, Pomini, Caputo, Ricci, Franchini, Cannavaro, Politano
Rapid Vienna: Strebinger; Thurnwald, Sonnleitner, M Hofmann, Schrammel; Mocinic, Grahovac; Schaub, Murg, Traustason; Joelinton
Rapid Vienna bench: Novota, Malicsek, Wober, Szanto, Schosswendter, Jelic, Kvilitaia