Name: Domenico Berardi Date of birth: 1 August, 1994 Birthplace: Cariati, Italy Club: Sassuolo Position: Forward International appearances: 3 (Italy U19) Honours: Serie B (2012/13) What’s the latest? Berardi scored plenty of goals for Sassuolo in Serie B last season, but few expected him to continue that form to the Italian top flight on the level he has managed this year. With 12 goals in 16 Serie A games, the striker is in exceptional form, leading to the interest from Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea. According to Tuttosport however, co-owners Juventus already have Sassuolo’s word that they can purchase the remaining half of his rights for €10m in the future. It could be difficult for any Premier League sides to snap him up, therefore. Did you know? 1) Berardi started out at humble side Cosenza, before joining Sassuolo as a 16-year-old. He made his professional debut in Serie B against Cesena in August 2012. 2) The striker’s first season as a professional was an incredibly fruitful one, scoring 11 goals in 37 appearances and winning Serie B with Sassuolo. As a result, Juventus purchased half of his rights in a co-ownership deal, before sending him back on loan to the newly promoted Serie A side. 3) Berardi’s first Serie A goal arrived in early October 2013 from the penalty spot against Parma. By early November, he had scored his first hat-trick in the top flight against Sampdoria, but the best was yet to come. In early January, the forward scored four goals in his side’s historic 4-3 victory over AC Milan. The game ended Massimiliano Allegri’s tenure at the San Siro. 4) The youngster’s 12 goals in Serie A make him the second top-scorer in the league at the moment behind Giuseppe Rossi. Sassuolo’s problems at the back (the minnows have conceded more goals than any other team in the league) mean they sit third from bottom in the table, however. 5) Berardi’s international career is already marred by controversy. He failed to respond to a call-up for his nation’s U19 side ahead of the 2013 U19 European Championship, and as a result, received a nine month international ban as punishment. They say “We have an excellent relationship with Sassuolo, but it wouldn’t be unreasonable to say he could be a part of our squad for next season. He’s very young however, and wearing the Juventus shirt is not easy.” Juventus Director General Giuseppe Marotta on Berardi.
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 02:42:13 +0000
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