This week, we turn our gaze to Italy where AS Sassuolo have been a revelation so far this season. Managed by the great De Zerbi, Sassuolo have made a spectacular start to the league campaign with 14 points and 18 goals in the first six games, an average of 3 goals per game.

Here are the latest results:

• Match 3. Sassuolo 4 - 1 Crotone

• Match 4. Bologna 3 - 4 Sassuolo

• Match 5. Sassuolo 3 - 3 Torino

• Match 6. Naples 0 - 2 Sassuolo

De Zerbi’s team, with their strong identity, personality and constantly evolving game have aroused great interest, so let’s see if we can get to the bottom of what makes them tick. 

Formations

Sassoulo’s line-up is versatile and fluid. Their players take up different positions depending on the phases of the game. On the offense, they usually line up in a 3-4-3 or a 4-3-3-1, and in defense from a 4-1-4-1 or 4-4-2. 

Their game is orderly but with a lot of mobility, continually generating passing lanes from the positioning of players and a rich play style which deserves the full attention of an opponent if they want to press high.

Their playstyle involves a lot of quality work on the training ground as it requires a great understanding of what’s happening on the pitch on the part of the players.

The Offensive Phase of Serie A’s Top Scoring Team

Sassuolo have a great wealth and variety in attack. The clear objective of their game is to take and keep possession of the ball in order to control the game.

De Zerbi’s men have several starting formations but all have the same idea: attract the rival with slow pacing to open up space between their opponents lines and keep moving forward.

A variety of systems. 3-4-3

A variety of systems. 4-2-3-1

When it comes to building an attack, the concept of finding the free man stands out. In this sense, both the team’s starting position and the goalkeeper’s role are key. Consigli’s presence is the basis for Sassuolo’s superiority and any team that wants to press high needs to push players forward towards him.

Keeper as a 3rd central defender and centre back behind the line of pressure

Dropping back and finding the free man

If this situation occurs and the opposition does push forward, Sassuolo have no qualms taking advantage of this and playing the long ball. 

Pulling opposition to create space in their half

The positioning of their midfield is also key. Either the centre midfielders or, if playing a 4-2-3-1, position themselves behind the opposition midfield line. The objective here is to cause confusion in the opposition defense and, consequently, they tend to create great danger when receiving in those areas.

Positioning of midfielders between the lines of the opposition

Players always between the lines

Once they break through the midfield lines with the ball, the mobility of the strikers appears. The wingers cut inside to the central lane (accumulating players on the inside from a 4-2-3-1). This pulls the opposition defence inside, allowing space on the wings which can then be utilised to get a cross into the packed penalty area.

Players accumulate in the middle bolstered by the wing men

From the 3-4-3 formation, one of the keys to the game is the depth they play, allowing for the creation of space. Their positioning, between the midfield and defensive lines of their opposition, draws the opponent, allowing their midfield to break for the space on the wings. 

Rupturing the centre of defense with a wide run

In offensive transitions, their attacking players - Boga, Traore, Djuricic, Caputo, Berardi and Maxime López - are confident in one-on-one situations and have no hesitation in attacking space or shooting if the opportunity arises.  

When scoring opportunities come, the strikers are bolstered by the midfielders on the wing, another resource to add their attack.

Pulling the game wide and diagonal runs to area

A Varied Defense

This is a team that adapts to an opponent well. They are able to defend in different ways and in a variety of positions and this is a brave team who try to press high and recover the ball in their opponents half.

Forward covering central defender and midfielder covering passing lanes

Starting from a 4-1-4-1 in defense with the striker covering one of the centre backs and a roving midfielder, Maxime López, covering the passing lines. As a variant, they can also man mark throughout the field if the need or opponent requires it.

Ability to man mark

Brave enough to take up 1v1 battles

If an opponent overcomes their high pressure, they perform an ordered withdrawal and accumulate as many players as possible around the goal area.

Retreating to 4-1-4-1

In defensive transitions, how they activate after losing the ball stands out. They are intense and change roles quickly with the aim of recovering the ball as quickly as possible.

Good activation to tighten up after losing the ball

Keys to Evolution

• The richness of your positional game.

• Mastery of several systems, but playing towards the same base objective.

• Audacity and versatility to outplay higher-level teams great preparation and analysis of opponents.

• The work and ability of their players to overcome stressful situations as their game involves great concentration and commitment.