Our prediction for this Serie A match:
Verona will be aiming to make amends for a 2-0 loss to Bologna when they take on Sassuolo in the Serie A round 27. The Mastini are eager to put an end to their six-game winless run and they are likely to leave their hearts on the field. Forward Juan Manuel Cruz remains on the sidelines with injury, while January signing Stefan Mitrovic is pushing for a start.
The Neroverdi, on the other hand, have been struggling to find their form of late and given their difficulties at the back, we predict that the hosts are going to pick up vital three points from Sunday’s matinee. As for the visiting team, important forward Domenico Berardi remains in the recovery room, while defender Martin Erlic will be assessed ahead of the kick-off. In their last meeting in the “City of Love” Verona outplayed Sassuolo 2-1.
Highlighted Player (Domenico Berardi):
Once one of the most promising young players in Serie A, Domenico Berardi is the Italian footballer that plays for Sassuolo and the Italy national team. Born in Cairati, Calabria, the forward begun his professional career back in 2012, when he helped the Neroverdi win Serie B and play in Serie A next season and was named as the best player of the competition, only 18 years of age.
He made his first appearance for the Italy U19 national team in the same season. His excellent performances draw the attention of Juventus and the Old Lady confirmed in the beginning of the Season 2013/14 that Domenico Berardi joined the club on a co-ownership deal.
The player never played for Juventus because he remained in Sassuolo and he recently signed a new contract with the Neroverdi. The 24-year-old right winger, who can also play as a left winger and a second striker, made his first appearance in the senior national team in June 2018.
Highlighted Team (Verona):
Founded back in 1903, Hellas Verona are a professional football club that compete in the Italian Serie A. The “Mastini” are well known for their yellow and blue jerseys and they welcome their opponents at Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi. Hellas Verona share rivalry with Chievo Verona and the two local rivals face each other in the “Derby della Scala”.
The first derby of Verona was played on November 18, 2001, with Hellas Verona emerging triumphant (3-2). In 1985 the Mastini won their first and only Scudetto, with the team finishing the season in top position in the Serie A standings, four points clear of second-placed Torino. The likes of Preben Elkjaer, Giuseppe Calderisi, Hans-Peter Briegel, Pietro Fanna and Antonio Di Gennaro led Hellas Verona to the historical success.
However, the most famous footballer who played for Verona is Romania international Adrian Mutu, who scored 16 goals in 57 appearances in the league for the Stadio Marc’ Antonio Bentegodi outfit. Verona will compete in the Italian top flight in the 2017/2018 season as they finished the 2016/2017 Serie B campaign in second position in the table.