Sassuolo vs Torino – News and Probable Lineups

Both Sassuolo and Torino are looking to secure their first points of the Serie A season when they clash at the Mapei Stadium this Saturday evening, having each suffered defeats on the opening matchday.

Following a cup victory against a lower division team, both clubs faced disappointment in their league debuts last week.

Match overview

New Sassuolo head coach Alberto Aquilani aims to build on last season’s 11th-place finish. His tenure started positively, with a win against Cesena in the Coppa Italia.

This victory set up a second-round match against Frosinone, but the Neroverdi encountered a tough challenge in their Serie A opener away to Atalanta, where they narrowly lost.

Sassuolo dominated the match statistically, registering the most shots, but only Cas Odenthal’s close-range header found the net as they fell 2-1 to La Dea.

That defeat marked the fourth consecutive league loss for the Emilian side stretching back to the previous season, though they may feel more at ease playing on home ground.

Despite losing their first home match in Serie A last year at the Mapei Stadium, Sassuolo achieved an impressive nine victories on home turf during the 2025-26 season, outpacing five other teams.

However, their history against Torino at home is bleak, with just one victory in 11 encounters in Serie A.

Notably, Torino remains unbeaten against Sassuolo in any competition since September 2022, having completed a league double over them last season.

Both clubs find themselves under new management; Ignazio Abate’s debut competitive match resulted in a narrow win against Carrarese in the Coppa Italia.

Abate then faced his former team on the opening day of Serie A, aiming to get points against Ruben Amorim’s Rossoneri in Turin.

After reaching the hour mark with the match still level, Torino conceded two quick goals. Che Adams scored a spectacular goal deep into injury time, but it proved too late for a comeback.

Before their encounter with Monza in the cup, the Granata will be looking for a rare away victory, having managed just four last season in Serie A.

Team News

Aquilani faces challenges as Andrea Pinamonti, Sassuolo’s leading scorer from last season, has recently transferred to Lazio, and several players are currently sidelined due to injury.

Long-term absentees Ismael Kone and Fali Cande are joined on the injury list by Edoardo Pieragnolo and team captain Domenico Berardi.

Rumors suggest Sebastiano Esposito is expected to step in to replace Pinamonti, but summer arrival Kieron Bowie is likely to lead the attack for the hosts this weekend.

On the other hand, Torino has a selection of strikers competing for a starting spot: Giovanni Simeone, who found the net in their previous encounter in May, will be in competition with Duvan Zapata, Sandro Kulenovic, and Adams.

Following his stunning goal against Milan and a late equalizer against Juventus in the final game of last season, Adams looks to score in three successive league matches.

Though Abate might have a fully fit squad to choose from, reports suggest Ivan Ilic could be on the move to Lecce, while Tino Anjorin remains doubtful for fitness.

Sassuolo probable starting XI:

Muric; Cinquegrano, Leysen, Odenthal, Doig; Bakola, Matic, Thorstvedt; Volpato, Bowie, Lauriente

Torino probable starting XI:

Mascardi; Comuzzo, Coco, Ismajli; Fortini, Fitz-Jim, Gineitis, Cacciamani; Vlasic, Casadei; Simeon

Despite their disappointing record against Torino, Sassuolo appears to have bolstered their squad effectively and held their own against Atalanta during the last matchday.

Back on home soil, the Neroverdi should capture their first points of the season, while Torino may head home from Reggio Emilia without any.