Domenico Berardi replied to a sensational Mattia Destro back-heel flick goal, as Sassuolo were only able to grab a point against Genoa.
Both teams were missing several players between injuries, COVID and the Africa Cup of Nations. The hosts were without Francesco Magnanelli, Gianluca Scamacca, Davide Frattesi, Federico Peluso, Matheus Henrique, Filip Djuricic and Junior Hamed Traore. Genoa got Andriy Shevchenko back after a brief COVID bout, but Stefano Sturaro was suspended, with Domenico Criscito, Valon Behrami, Nicolò Rovella and Nikola Maksimovic out, so January signing Silvan Hefti was thrown straight in for his debut.
It took just over six minutes to break the deadlock in some style, as Mattia Destro improvised brilliantly with a back-heel flick from six yards when the Caleb Ekuban pull-back was deflected.
Sassuolo dominated possession without creating that many clear-cut chances, although Gregoire Defrel should’ve done a lot better when sent clear, firing at the goalkeeper and then onto the side-netting.
They did eventually equalise when a tackle on Raspadori turned into an accidental assist for Domenico Berardi to smash into the net from 12 yards.
Berardi stung Salvatore Sirigu’s gloves from distance, then Defrel missed another sitter after great work between Berardi and Giorgios Kyriakopoulos.
Sassuolo were pouring forward, Berardi’s sensational volley flashing just over the crossbar, but Genoa held firm for a point.
Sassuolo 1-1 Genoa
Destro 7 (G), Berardi 55 (S)