THREAD - A quick(ish) thread looking at @AcspeziaE’s performance yesterday against #Sassuolo. There’s much to admire here from Italiano’s #Spezia.
#SassuoloSpezia

Here’s an example of what #Spezia did so well throughout the game. They played a high line and bravely pressed Sassuolo high up the pitch. Here 2 mins into the game the consistent press results in Consigli having to play a long pass and lose possession.

When in possession #Spezia’s full backs push forward and centre mid Ricci would drop deeper to provide a passing option for his centre backs.

When out of possession, Ricci still played deeper essentially in a 4-1-4-1 - this resulted in him playing close to Sassuolo’s Djuricic.

It’s not a secret that #Sassuolo under De Zerbi have been excellent at building moves from the back. From goal kicks, #Spezia bravely press preventing this approach. Look at the numbers they have here, daring the Neroverdi to go long.

A player that is key to #Sassuolo is Locatelli, his vision and eye for a pass has resulted in him being linked to the likes of Man City. He developed a shadow in this game in the form of Brazilian Sena. Again, this disrupted the Neroverdi’s usual approach.

This resulted in the unusual sight of #Sassuolo being very direct. For example, Consigli goes route one here for Caputo who is offside. This is a risk Spezia are willing to take, the example below highlights how exposed Spezia can be.

#Sassuolo open the scoring 24 mins with a brilliant move. A quick and direct seven pass move results in the Neroverdi playing through the press and Caputo being played through to put them ahead. It’s against the run of play, Spezia don’t change their approach.

First time I’ll mention Agudelo here. He played as a false nine, his pace and physicality of was key to the press. When he dropped deeper generally one of #Spezia’s wide players would move inside. The example below sees Verde moving in from the right hand side.

#Spezia equalise through a Erlic header from a corner. De Zerbi will be disappointed to concede directly from a corner, but it’s well deserved for the Aquilotti. #SassuoloSpezia

#Spezia continue this approach into the second half. When out of possession they eventually play a 4–1-4-1, but they continue to be at risk of quick Sassuolo transitions due to their high press. #SassuoloSpezia

Below is an example of the risk that #Spezia face. A long pass into the space left by Bastoni, the left sided full back, pressing results in Traore having a good chance. Look at how exposed Spezia are at the back if the press is played through.

#Spezia take a deserved lead again directly from a corner. Despite taking the lead relatively late in the game Spezia resist the urge to play a low block and continue to press. The example below is 80 mins into the game.

Agudelo is fantastic in the false nine role, 84 mins into the game he gains possession in his own half drives forward and eventually is fouled by Ferrari. His athleticism and physicality is really impressive and key to Spezia’s approach. #SassuoloSpezia

Italiano makes a late change bringing on Chabot to play as a third centre back to cope with #Sassuolo’s direct balls into the box.

The game ends 2-1 to #Spezia and it’s a fully deserved three points. They forced a side which has rightly won praise for their patient passing based approach to resort to long direct passes. #Spezia showed real resilience to continue this approach after going a goal behind.

The Aquilotti were a pleasure to watch, and in Italiano they have a manager that is one to watch out for. This win moves them six points clear of relegation and I’ll be hoping they remain in the Serie A next season.
#SassuoloSpezia

The Aquilotti are far more interesting to watch than some of their more established and wealthier relegation rivals. I’d like to see how they’d progress under Italiano in the future. Grazie! END OF THREAD
#SassuoloSpezia