Serie B Side Sassuolo Set Up Coppa Italia Clash with Milan

Serie B side Sassuolo triumphed 2-0 over Lecce in the Coppa Italia, securing their place in the round of 16 where they will face AC Milan.

Goals from Tarik Muharemovic and Luca D’Andrea sealed the victory for the I Neroverdi, as Lecce once again exited the competition against a Serie B side. Sassuolo, under manager Fabio Grosso, have now won three consecutive matches across both league and cup competitions.

The match began cautiously, with both teams implementing large-scale rotations. Lecce’s Gotti and Sassuolo’s Grosso fielded heavily changed lineups, each sticking to their preferred formations—4-2-3-1 for Lecce and 4-3-3 for Sassuolo. The first real chance came in the 12th minute when Sassuolo’s Muharemovic, making his debut as a starter, headed in a cross from Pierini to give Sassuolo an early lead. Lecce struggled to create meaningful chances in the first half, with their only real threat coming from flashes of individual play by Banda and Pierotti.

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Sassuolo controlled much of the first half, with Russo missing a golden opportunity to extend the lead just before halftime. Lecce, meanwhile, couldn’t find any rhythm in their build-up play, and Sassuolo’s disciplined defence consistently thwarted their attempts to get back into the game. The first half ended 1-0 in Sassuolo’s favour.

In the second half, Lecce intensified their efforts, making several substitutions, including the introduction of Rebic and Gallo. Despite gaining more possession and pressing forward, Lecce couldn’t find a breakthrough, with Satalino in Sassuolo’s goal making crucial saves, particularly from Oudin’s well-placed free kick.

As Lecce pushed for an equalizer, Sassuolo took advantage on the counter. In the 34th minute, Luca D’Andrea, who had just come on as a substitute, doubled the lead with a composed finish after being set up by Moro. Lecce continued to fight until the final whistle, but Sassuolo held firm, securing a deserved victory and passage to the next round.

Lecce’s struggles in the Coppa Italia continue, as they were eliminated by a Serie B team for the third consecutive year. Frustration among Lecce’s fans was evident, with players being urged to fight harder following the match.

Site Opinion

For Lecce, this result adds to a growing sense of frustration. Once again eliminated early in the Coppa Italia, they will need to regroup quickly as they look ahead to their next Serie A fixture. Their lack of creativity and composure in the final third against Sassuolo raises questions about the team’s ability to compete on multiple fronts.

On the other hand, Sassuolo’s third consecutive victory under Fabio Grosso highlights their growing confidence. The team’s blend of youth and experience is starting to click, and with a crucial clash against AC Milan on the horizon, Sassuolo will be eager to test themselves against top-tier opposition.