Sassuolo vs Cagliari – News and Probable Lineups

As Cagliari battles to avoid relegation, they are scheduled to face Sassuolo, who are situated mid-table, on Saturday afternoon, as Italy’s top division resumes following the international break.

After suffering three consecutive losses, the Sardinian squad finds themselves barely above the relegation zone; on the other hand, their opponents are aiming for a finish within the top 10.

Match overview

Cagliari has only secured two points from their last 21 available, putting them in a precarious situation after a decent spell had brought them closer to safety.

Since February began, the Rossoblu have accrued the least points in Serie A and have also netted the fewest goals, having ended the international break with a 1-0 loss at home to Napoli.

While they have a small buffer from the relegation zone with a three-point lead, their position is delicate – especially as some teams below are starting to show improvement.

Rookie coach Fabio Pisacane, appointed last summer, is tasked with ensuring Cagliari maintains its top-flight status for a fourth consecutive year, but that goal remains uncertain with eight matches to go.

Struggling with a consistent striker, the last eight league goals have come from various players, and leading up to their fixture in Reggio Emilia, the Sardinian side has only managed three wins away from home this season.

After a 2-1 win in the earlier fixture this October, Sassuolo could achieve their first Serie A double over Cagliari this weekend, as they seek to break a three-match winless streak.

Before the international matches took place, the Neroverdi suffered a late defeat to Lazio, followed by a loss against Bologna in their local derby, and were then able to hold Juventus to a 1-1 draw.

Despite a wave of illnesses affecting several players, Andrea Pinamonti’s goal in the second half ensured they left Turin with a point, maintaining their position slightly ahead of Udinese in the top-half chase.

Sassuolo is currently in 10th position with 39 points, and despite some recent struggles, there is no concern about relegation for Fabio Grosso’s side.

Having won Serie B last spring, the Emilian club has been difficult to defeat at home since their return to Italy’s top tier; with 20 points from 15 games at the Mapei Stadium, they have triumphed over both Lazio and Atalanta there this season.

Team News

Cagliari will be able to reintroduce Slovakia international Adam Obert, who was serving a one-match suspension just before the break, though defender Alberto Dossena will miss the match on Saturday due to suspension.

While Riyad Idrissi and Mattia Felici are out for the remainder of the season, two strikers have recently returned to training, however, Gennaro Borrelli and Andrea Belotti are not expected to be available this week.

Veteran forward Leonardo Pavoletti has been training separately but is likely to make the bench, with joint-top scorers Sebastiano Esposito and Semih Kilicsoy – both having netted four league goals each – being favored to start in attack.

Pinamonti and Armand Lauriente, both of whom scored in the earlier encounter, are expected to lead the Sassuolo attack alongside influential winger Domenico Berardi.

Despite another season riddled with injuries, Berardi has managed to find the net seven times in Serie A this term, and he has previously been involved in 10 goals across 11 top-flight encounters against Cagliari.

Tarik Muharemovic, celebrating Bosnia-Herzegovina’s recent qualification for the upcoming World Cup – at Italy’s expense – will anchor the Sassuolo defense in front of goalkeeper Arijanet Muric.

Muric leads Serie A this season in saves, although his Kosovo team narrowly fell short in their World Cup playoff final on Tuesday evening.

In addition, Alieu Fadera and Daniel Boloca continue to be sidelined by injury, along with long-term absentees Edoardo Pieragnolo and Fali Cande.

Sassuolo probable starting XI:

Muric; Walukiewicz, Muharemovic, Idzes, Garcia; Kone, Matic, Thorstvedt; Berardi, Pinamonti, Lauriente

Cagliari probable starting XI:

Caprile; Ze Pedro, Mina, Rodriguez; Palestra, Adopo, Gaetano, Folorunsho, Obert; Esposito, Kilicsoy

To this point, these teams have drawn more than half of their 19 Serie A matchups, but the home side is anticipated to prevail this weekend.

With an experienced and cohesive forward line, Sassuolo poses a threat to any visiting team, while Cagliari continues to find it difficult in the final third.