OPPOSITION FOCUS | SASSUOLO

The kick off to the new season is fast approaching. On Monday, August 15 at 20:45 CEST Juventus wrap up the opening weekend of Serie A action at the Allianz Stadium.

The Bianconeri's opponents on Matchday 1 of season 2022-23, Sassuolo are preparing for their 10th season in the top flight after finishing the last campaign, the first under coach Alessio Dionisi, in 11th place. Dionisi remains in charge and although the backbone of the squad is unchanged, there have been some comings and goings on the transfer front.

Historic club captain Francesco Magnanelli, the only player still at the club that had been part of the climb from the fourth division to the top flight - including promotion to Serie B under Massimiliano Allegri's guidance in 2008 - has hung up his boots. Experienced defenders Vlad Chiriches and Federico Peluso have also left the club, as has forward Gianluca Scamacca. The Neroverdi have replaced the Italy striker with 21-year-old Uruguay international Augustin Alvarez from Penarol and Andrea Pinamonti on loan from Inter.

TEAM FOCUS

• Sassuolo have only won once at Juventus in Serie A, the most recent league encounter played in Turin, on 27 October 2021, with goals from Davide Frattesi and Maxime Lopez.
• Sassuolo won their debut match 3-2 against Verona last season - the Neroverdi have won the first league match only twice in a row, between 2015 and 2016.
• Sassuolo have never drawn on Matchday 1 in Serie A when playing away, alternating between two defeats (both in Turin against Torino) and two victories (against Palermo and Verona).
• The Neroverdi lost their first competitive match of the new season, 3-2 at Modena last weekend, which resulted in elimination from the Italian Cup.

PLAYER FOCUS

• Maxime Lopez carries over a one-match suspension from last season and therefore sits out the fixture at the Allianz Stadium.
• Following Francesco Magnanelli's retirement, Gian Marco Ferrari will officially take over the role as club captain.
• Domenico Berardi scored his club's first goal of the new season, a penalty in first half stoppage time against Modena - the Italy international is entering his 11th straight season at Sassuolo.