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Juventus vs Sassuolo: 3 key Neroverdi players to watch out for

By Jyotirmoy Halder

REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - OCTOBER 02: Domenico Berardi of US Sassuolo celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's first goal from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo v FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on October 02, 2021 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - OCTOBER 02: Domenico Berardi of US Sassuolo celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's first goal from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo v FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on October 02, 2021 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) /
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1. Domenico Berardi

Domenico Berardi, US Sassuolo (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
Domenico Berardi, US Sassuolo (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images) /

The story of Domenico Berardi is a unique one. At the age of 16, he joined the Sassuolo youth academy. At the age of 19, he made his Serie A debut for the same club. By the time he turned 20, Berardi became the second-youngest player to score four goals in a single Serie A match — scoring all four goals in Sassuolo’s  4–3 victory against AC Milan in January 2014.

Back then, he was playing for Sassuolo but was on loan from Juventus. He was part of a co-ownership deal that initially saw Luca Marrone joining Sassuolo in 2013. Two years later, Berardi decided to stay put at Sassuolo, with the Neroverdi paying a €10m transfer fee and letting Simone Zaza join the Bianconeri in return.

Yes, he did not play a single minute for the Turin club. But the game against Juventus will be a special occasion for the 27-year-old winger, with Berardi plotting to show what Juve are missing without him. A star in Roberto Mancini’s Italian side, Berardi racked up a heap of plaudits while playing down the right for his national team in Euro 2020.

Left-footed, the Cariati-born winger prefers operating as an inside forward, galloping down the right and taking on opposition defenders. He is the kind of canny winger that always keeps his counterpart on their toes. Using his crafty trickeries and silky movements, Berardi could be a threat for the Juve defence line on Wednesday afternoon.

As per the numbers from FBref.com, Domenico Berardi has accumulated four goals and one assist from seven appearances in Serie A 2021/22 so far. The data reflects the fine form that Berardi is currently experiencing. Juventus haven’t conceded too many goals of late, but you should not bet in the favour of Juventus keeping a clean sheet on Wednesday, especially not against that razor-sharp left foot of Berardi.

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