Sassuolo and Genoa started 2022 with a point each at the Stadio Citta del Tricolore. Andriy Shevchenko’s side started brilliantly with Mattia Destro opening the scoring after only six minutes. Sassuolo managed to find their equalizer early in the second half thanks to their talisman Domenico Berardi.
Genoa made three changes from their goalless draw to Atalanta in December. Zinho Vanheusden was back in the starting XI, replacing Davide Biraschi. In midfield, Hernani replaced Stefano Sturaro, who was serving a yellow card suspension.
New signing Silvan Hefti made his debut for Genoa, replacing captain Domenico Criscito who was injured.
Sassuolo made seven changes from their defeat to Bologna, with only Gian Marco Ferrari, Rogerio, Marc Lopez and Berardi being in the XI.
The Neroverdi had the first chance of the match after only four minutes. However, Giacomo Raspadori’s shot was wide. Just a few minutes later, Genoa took the lead after Destro’s backheel from Caleb Ekuban’s pass found the net.
Sassuolo were eager to get the equalizer with Berardi taking a shot on goal in the 13th minute, only for it to be too high. The 27-year-old came continued to threaten the Genoa defense and took a few more shots at goal but to no avail.
Sassuolo started the second half strongly with Gregoire Defrel having a good chance to find the net. The Frenchman beat two defenders before seeing his shot saved brilliantly by Genoa goalie Salvatore Sirigu.
The Neroverdi eventually got the goal they were craving for thanks to Berardi, who scored his ninth Serie A goal of the season.
Genoa did not create too many chances throughout the match but whenever they did, more often than not it was close to scoring. Mattia Bani tried to head in from a corner just after the hour mark but it missed the target, albeit by a narrow margin.
Sassuolo continued to trouble the Genoa backline with Berardi once again testing Sirigu with a strong shot. However, the goalkeeper was up to the task and denied him. Eventually, Genoa managed to hold Sassuolo to a 1-1 draw, registering their second straight draw. For the Neroverdi, it was their third winless result on the draw.
Alessio Dionisi and Sassuolo may not be very pleased with the point, given the amount of chances they had. Berardi in particular will be disappointed to end up with only one goal after the match.
With the draw, Sassuolo are 13th in the Serie A table while Genoa remain 19th.
Next up for the Neroverdi is a trip to Tuscany as they face Empoli on Sunday. Genoa next face Spezia at home on Sunday and will be looking to grab all three points as they aim to get out of the relegation zone.