Sassuolo: Aquilani praises Berardi and minimizes talk about Europe

Context

Alberto Aquilani, former Sassuolo player, now assumes the responsibility of coach, bringing with him a clear vision of the club's culture and values. His previous experience at clubs such as Pisa and Catanzaro, where he almost achieved promotion to Serie A, could be a valuable asset in his new role. Relationships with key players like Berardi will be fundamental to implementing his playing philosophy.

Why this matters

The arrival of Alberto Aquilani at the helm of Sassuolo marks a new chapter for the club in Serie A. The coach, who already knows the club's environment well, emphasizes the importance of building a strong identity, something that could be crucial to long-term success. The appreciation of players like Berardi and the ambition to create a winning culture are elements that can influence Sassuolo's trajectory in the league.

Main conclusions

Sassuolo: Aquilani praises Berardi and devalues talk about Europe.
Sassuolo's new coach, Alberto Aquilani, highlighted the club's values, highlighted Berardi's role and relativized the conversation about European objectives, insisting on building a strong identity.
Sassuolo, Aquilani: "Berardi is diverse from elsewhere. Maric parla di Europa? Sta scherzando...".

Alberto Aquilani is ready for the big leap in his coaching career. After the experience of growth between Pisa and Catanzaro, where he was on the verge of a historic promotion to Serie A, the Italian coach will now take charge of Sassuolo in the main transalpine division. In an interview with the newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, the new coach explained the reasons that led him to embrace the project and outlined the first lines of his plan for the upcoming season.

“I recognize myself in the values of this club”, he stated, highlighting what he found in the Neroverdi universe. Aquilani also highlighted the importance of Sassuolo's corporate framework, owned by Mapei, and revealed the impact of the leadership approach: Veronica Squinzi, accompanied by her brother Marco, sought to reinforce the club's centrality with the coach after the departure of Carnevali, a key figure in management in recent years. A message that the coach valued as a sign of stability and long-term ambition.

Asked about a recent conversation around European goals, Aquilani played it down with humor. According to the coach, “Matic was joking” when he talked about Europe. Still, the new man on the bench highlighted that ambition is part of the DNA he wants to impose in the dressing room, not only linked to immediate results, but above all to the construction of a strong and recognizable collective identity. Of the veteran, he praised the daily curiosity and the competitive example he could transmit to the group.

As for Domenico Berardi, Sassuolo's great star in the last decade, Aquilani was adamant: the forward “embraced the project” and the coach expects a lot from him. “He’s different from the others”, he stressed, signaling the Italian international’s special status within the team. Berardi, an offensive reference and symbol of the club, appears as a central piece in the game idea that Aquilani intends to consolidate.

The coach, who formed his ideas between youth development and attacking football, wants a purposeful Sassuolo, with the ball, pressing and capable of growing week after week. The pre-season will be crucial for fine-tuning processes and accelerating the assimilation of the model, while the board works to ensure the best competitive conditions at the beginning of the calendar.

Without grandiose promises, Aquilani outlines a path based on principles: organization, courage and identity. With the Mapei structure guaranteeing stability and with dressing room leaders like Berardi — and the experience of more well-played players — Sassuolo begins a new era with its eyes set on once again asserting itself in Serie A. The ambition exists, guarantees the coach, but it is supported by daily work and a strong collective culture.

What happens next

If the loan swap goes through, Ekhator could gain valuable experience at Parma, while Pellegrino joins Juventus, where he should contribute to the attacking line. Juventus is also still awaiting a response from PSG regarding the transfer of Kolo Muani, which could impact the urgency of this operation. The situation in the transfer market is constantly evolving, and Juventus needs to act quickly to ensure an effective reinforcement before the summer window closes.

Frequently asked questions

Who are the players involved in the loan exchange?

The players involved in the loan swap are Jeff Ekhator and Mateo Pellegrino.

Where did Jeff Ekhator come from before joining Juventus?

Jeff Ekhator arrived at Juventus from Genoa.

Why is Juventus making this loan exchange?

Juventus is making this loan exchange to overcome financial obstacles and secure a quality striker.

What is the status of the agreement between Juventus and Parma?

The deal involves Ekhator loaning to Parma with an option to buy, while Pellegrino would also move to Juventus on loan, with financial compensation.

When is the loan exchange expected to be made official?

The loan exchange does not yet have an official date set, but Juventus wants to quickly complete the signing of a new striker.