Berardi inspires Sassuolo with a goal and an own-goal assist, Aebischer briefly gives Pisa hope, but Koné seals a vital victory in the relegation battle.
Sassuolo earned a hugely important 3–1 away win over Pisa at the Stadio Garibaldi, picking up their first road victory since November and dealing a heavy blow to the Tuscan side’s survival hopes. Fabio Grosso’s team showed ruthlessness and quality at key moments, led by a resurgent Domenico Berardi, who proved decisive before halftime.
For Pisa, the defeat leaves them anchored near the bottom of the Serie A table, increasingly under pressure as the season progresses.
The opening stages were lively. Pisa pushed early and even thought they had taken the lead from a corner, but Bozhinov’s effort was ruled out for offside. From the midway point of the first half, however, Berardi took control of the game.
The Sassuolo captain broke the deadlock with a powerful right-footed strike, then continued to torment the Pisa defense with a series of dangerous plays. Just before halftime, one of his driven balls into the box resulted in an own goal by Caracciolo, handing the visitors a commanding 2–0 lead at the break.
Pisa tried to react immediately after halftime. Gilardino made a triple substitution, and the move paid off when Aebischer unleashed an unstoppable shot from outside the box to make it 2–1 and reignite the contest.
The comeback hopes were short-lived. Only a few minutes later, Koné restored Sassuolo’s two-goal cushion, finishing first time from inside the area after a smart assist from Matic.
Late drama followed when Muric appeared to bring down Durosinmi as the last man, a challenge that would have resulted in a red card. VAR intervention, however, revealed a marginal offside, sparing Sassuolo further trouble. The match ended 3–1, a result that could prove decisive in the fight for survival.
Match Report: Pisa 1–3 Sassuolo
Scorers:
25’ Berardi (Sassuolo), 46’ Caracciolo (own goal), 51’ Aebischer (Pisa), 58’ Koné (Sassuolo)
Pisa (3-4-2-1):
Scuffet; Canestrelli (Leris 46’), Caracciolo, Bozhinov; Touré, Marin (Durosinmi 46’), Aebischer, Angori (Stengs 85’); Moreo (Stojikovic 69’), Tramoni; Meister (Loyola 46’).
Head coach: Alberto Gilardino.
Sassuolo (4-3-3):
Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Doig; Thorstvedt, Matic, Koné (Lipani 73’); Berardi (Volpato 84’), Pinamonti (Moro 73’), Laurienté (Fadera 73’).
Head coach: Fabio Grosso.
Referee: Arena
Yellow cards: Thorstvedt, Moro (Sassuolo); Bozhinov, Tramoni, Touré (Pisa)
