US Sassuolo Calcio vs Genoa preview - Sassuolo: Destiny is in our hands

Posted Saturday, May 10, 2014 by PA

Sassuolo coach Eusebio Di Francesco admits he and his players will only have themselves to blame if they fail to retain their Serie A status.

The promoted side stand 16th in the standings heading into their final two matches of the campaign, against Genoa on Sunday and at AC Milan on May 18.

Tuesday's 4-3 triumph at Fiorentina lifted Sassuolo two places and two points clear of the drop zone.

"Destiny is in our hands," Di Francesco said. "We are not safe yet and we have two crucial games left to play.

"The fact that we beat a strong team like Fiorentina in Florence should give us the confidence to go out and win our remaining games.

"We have to give our all in order not to have regrets at the end of the season."

Sassuolo will be without the services of defenders Marcello Gazzola and Alessandro Longhi, who are both suspended.

However, Di Francesco will be hoping in-form striker Domenico Berardi, who scored a hat-trick against Fiorentina, can continue to deliver.

Berardi, 19, is Sassuolo's top scorer with 16 goals this season and will partner Simone Zaza in attack on Sunday.

Genoa travel to the Citta del Tricolore stadium with nothing to play for except pride.

They secured their top-flight status last month and have done little since then.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side have won just one of their last 10 league games and dropped to 14th place after a goalless draw against Bologna last time out.

"We have suffered a drop in form," Genoa president Enrico Preziosi said. "It's clear that we could have pointed for bigger aims but we will settle for this.

"For the first time in the club's history, Genoa will play for an eighth consecutive year in Serie A and this is our scudetto."