The second round of matches in the Italian top flight will be played this weekend and features this upcoming clash between Sassuolo and newcomers, Lecce, when the two teams meet at the MAPEI Stadium, with both teams looking to bounce back from their respective opening day defeats last weekend.
Sassuolo started their season on a disappointing note as they faced a tough opening fixture against Juventus and were duly handed a 3-0 loss away from home but the hosts now return to their MAPEI Stadium for Saturday’s clash with Lecce, whom they’ll be keen to produce a response against.
FINALE | #JuveSassuolo 3⃣-0⃣I neroverdi escono sconfitti dall'Allianz Stadium.#ForzaSasol 🖤💚 pic.twitter.com/JHSsTsnxxD— U.S. Sassuolo (@SassuoloUS) August 15, 2022
FINALE | #JuveSassuolo 3⃣-0⃣I neroverdi escono sconfitti dall'Allianz Stadium.#ForzaSasol 🖤💚 pic.twitter.com/JHSsTsnxxD
Recent results though could once again hamper Sassuolo’s immediate plans as the hosts have managed to pick up just one win out of their last seven matches overall, which came in the form of a 3-1 win away at Bologna but also includes five defeats as well.
The bigger picture shows Sassuolo have registered just four wins from their previous 14 home games, while three of their previous four meetings against Lecce have resulted in draws.
Midfielder Hamed Traore is battling injury and may miss out on Saturday.
Onto Lecce and the visitors gained automatic promotion from Serie B at the end of last season’s second tier campaign as they finished top of the division and won the title, so they too will be keen to put last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at home to Inter Milan behind them here.
It looks like being a long and tough campaign ahead of Lecce though in this season’s Serie A as the visitors have been unable to bring in the personnel they wanted and they are being heavily tipped for the drop this term.
A mixed pre-season saw Lecce pick up wins against Rovereto and Virtus Francavilla but they also slipped to defeats against Bochum and Parma, while also being handed an early exit from the domestic Coppa Italia following a 3-2 loss to Cittadella in extra time.
However, with just five defeats out of their last 14 outings on the road in all competitions which also includes five draws, Lecce may still stand a decent chance of picking up a result here of some sort.
Defender Tuia and midfielder Askildsen both missed last week’s season opener through injury and both may be doubtful for this Saturday as well.
Having both tasted defeat in last week’s openers, Sassuolo and Lecce may be happy to share a point apiece here.