Sassuolo's debut season in Serie A was memorable for many reasons, not least the fact that they managed to achieve what looked impossible at times and stay in the top flight. They also were involved in some thrilling games and played in a very bold, expansive style - giving their fans some incredible memories to cherish for many a year. It didn't start so well for Eusebio Di Francesco's men as they were made odds-on favourites for the drop after losing their opening four matches which included a 7-0 thumping against Inter Milan which highlighted the glaring defensive frailties in the side. Sassuolo won just once in their first ten games in charge but there were signs within that sequence that it wasn't all going to be doom and gloom for the club. The team managed to get draws against both Napoli and Lazio which illustrated what would become a recurring theme throughout the season in that Sassuolo were able to raise their game and get results against the bigger clubs in the league. A match which just about summed up Sassuolo's season was the home fixture against AC Milan. The strugglers were 2-0 down and seemingly out but, thanks to an incredible four goal haul from Domenico Berardi, they managed to come away with a 4-3 victory. Berardi was not only Sassuolo's shining light but he was arguably the biggest breakout star in the whole of Serie A. He scored another two hat-tricks on his way to a 16 goal haul in his debut season in the top flight. It was often all or nothing for Sassuolo - they'd win or lose spectacularly and, while admirable, many felt that Di Francesco's expansive style was not suited to a side who were supposed to be scrapping for survival. The manager was given his marching orders after a bad losing streak at the turn of the year. His replacement, Alberto Malesani, proved to be a disastrous appointment though. He attempted to curve the team's natural attacking instincts and it backfired as he lost all the games in his short spell in charge. The club did the right thing and gave Di Francesco back the reins. It was always going to be a ride filled with thrills and spills but Sassuolo succeeded and proved that you can play good football whilst fighting for your lives. An incredible 4-3 away win over Fiorentina was followed by a 4-2 home victory over Genoa and that proved to be enough to secure them safety. As Di Francesco himself said, that is like winning the Scudetto for a club of Sassuolo's stature.
