Grosso: "We'll fight for a big goal. Berardi? He's history, we're holding on to him."

The Emilian coach is ready to challenge the Italian champions: "It will be a great opportunity." He then praised captain Berardi: "We're keeping him close; he's done great things here."

For newly promoted Sassuolo , coached by Fabio Grosso, their baptism of fire in the new Serie A will certainly not be the easiest. In fact, it might be the most difficult possible. The Emilian side will make their debut tomorrow at 6:30 PM at the Mapei Stadium against reigning Italian champions Napoli .

The Neroverdi will therefore be involved in a top-level match, a useful opportunity to immediately test their skills against one of the title favorites. But Grosso appeared enthusiastic about this challenge at the press conference: " We'll be facing a very strong team, but it will be a great opportunity to try to gain something and showcase our qualities ."

The black-and-green coach expressed his satisfaction at returning to the top division : " We're thrilled to start where we initially dreamed of being last year. We deservedly returned to this category, and we did so with hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and also with the quality of the players. We want to maintain the motivation and values ​​that distinguished us last year ."

The greater potential difficulties don't scare the former 2006 world champion: " The level is rising, but we're convinced that we have the qualities to try to achieve our goals. There will be difficulties and good moments, which I hope will be many. We're approaching this championship with great enthusiasm ."

For Grosso, who previously coached Brescia in Serie A, but took over during the season, the match against Sassuolo will be his debut in the top flight from matchday one: " It's a great feeling for me to face this season with a very serious club, and I'll try to do it in the best possible way, but I'm not focusing on personal matters. I know it will be a debut, but for me, every occasion is an emotional moment. Our goal is to always maintain a clear head throughout the season, knowing that we're starting now and that we'll get to May wanting to achieve what we all want to achieve ."

A comment on his team's captain, Domenico Berardi, now a club icon and recently signed a new contract until 2029 , was inevitable: " I've always admired his performances because he's a player who has made history for this club. He arrived as a kid and then played 11 years in Serie A with great quality. I know he's very happy to be here. We'll keep him close and, together with him and all his teammates, we'll try to do the best we can ."

Returning to the match against Napoli, Grosso will have to contend with a few absences: " Skjellerup and Thorstvedt are out, as well as Iannoni due to suspension ." And finally, a comment on the Neroverdi's latest signing, now confirmed even though it's yet to be officially announced. The 37-year-old Serbian Nemanja Matic is ready to make his return to Serie A, bringing experience to Sassuolo's midfield. " We know that this division requires raising the bar, otherwise, and this opportunity arose, and I hope it will be fruitful for a very strong player. Obviously, he's at the end of his career, but he can lend a hand and support the many young players in this group ."