Sassuolo claimed a convincing 3-0 victory over Hellas Verona in the 26th week of Serie A 2025/2026. The match, held at Città del Tricolore on Saturday, February 21, saw the Neroverdi dominate from the latter stages of the first half.
Captain Domenico Berardi scored twice, while Andrea Pinamonti added a goal to seal the win. Defender Jay Idzes played the full 90 minutes, helping Sassuolo keep a clean sheet. With this win, Sassuolo climbed to eighth place in the league standings, whereas Verona remains near the relegation zone.
First Half: Verona’s Early Pressure
Verona started the game with high intensity. They pressed Sassuolo early, aiming to take control of the match. Around the 15th minute, Amin Sarr seized a rebound in front of goal, but his shot was blocked by Sassuolo’s defense.
Five minutes later, Kieron Bowie came close to scoring. His close-range strike was cleared off the line, wasting a golden opportunity. Despite Verona’s pressure, Sassuolo gradually gained control, building attacks through Pinamonti and Berardi.
The breakthrough finally came in the 40th minute. Pinamonti finished a slick combination with Armand Lauriente to give Sassuolo the lead. Just before halftime, Berardi doubled the advantage by capitalizing on a rebound from Verona goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo after a penalty attempt.
Second Half: Berardi Seals the Victory
In the second half, Sassuolo played with more composure and structure. Verona tried to increase the tempo but struggled against a disciplined defense.
The decisive moment came in the 62nd minute. Berardi completed a fast counterattack, calmly finishing a one-on-one situation to make it 3-0. Sassuolo’s dominance was clear, and Verona’s chances dwindled.
Things worsened for Verona when Al Musrati received a second yellow card five minutes before full time. Playing with ten men effectively ended their hopes of a comeback. Sassuolo controlled possession until the final whistle, securing a comfortable victory.
Jay Idzes’ Solid Performance
Jay Idzes was a key figure in Sassuolo’s backline. The young defender played the full 90 minutes, contributing to a clean sheet against a challenging Verona attack. His awareness and positioning helped neutralize threats from Amin Sarr and Kieron Bowie.
Coach Fabio Grosso praised the defender after the match, noting his composure and tactical discipline. Idzes’ performance demonstrates his growing importance in the squad and potential for future success in Serie A.
Key Players: Berardi and Pinamonti
Domenico Berardi was undoubtedly the star of the match. Scoring two goals, he showed intelligence in positioning, sharp finishing, and leadership on the field. Andrea Pinamonti also impressed with his early goal and constant movement that stretched Verona’s defense.
Berardi’s ability to capitalize on rebounds and counterattacks proved decisive. Meanwhile, Pinamonti’s work rate and combination play helped Sassuolo dominate the first half and control the pace of the match.
Sassuolo’s Lineup and Strategy
Sassuolo started in a 4-3-3 formation:
Arijanet Muric; Woyo Coulibaly, Sebastian Walukiewicz, Jay Idzes, Ulisses Garcia; Kristian Thostvedt, Luca Lipani, Ismael Kone; Domenico Berardi, Andrea Pinamonti, Armand Lauriente
Coach: Fabio Grosso
Verona lined up in a 3-5-2 system:
Lorenzo Montipo; Armel Bella-Kotchap, Victor Nelsson, Andrias Edmundsson; Domagoj Bradaric, Cheikh Niasse, Al Musrati, Abdou Harroui, Martin Frese; Amin Sarr, Kieron Bowie
Coach: Paolo Sammarco
Sassuolo’s strategy focused on solid defense and fast transitions. Verona’s early pressing created some chances, but the disciplined defensive line, including Idzes, kept them at bay. The combination of Pinamonti’s link-up play and Berardi’s clinical finishing made the difference.
Conclusion
Sassuolo’s 3-0 win over Verona highlights the importance of tactical discipline, effective counterattacks, and individual brilliance. Berardi’s two goals and Pinamonti’s contribution underline the team’s attacking potential, while Jay Idzes’ full-match performance proves his reliability at the back.
This victory lifts Sassuolo to eighth place, strengthening their position in Serie A. Verona, on the other hand, remains in the relegation-threatened zone and must recover quickly in upcoming fixtures.
With such performances, Sassuolo shows they can challenge higher-ranked teams. Berardi’s leadership, Pinamonti’s attacking instincts, and Idzes’ defensive solidity create a strong foundation for the remainder of the season.
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