Fabio Grosso Leads Sassuolo Back to Serie A After Serie B Triumph

Sep, 29 2025

When Fabio Grosso, the 2006 World Cup winner turned coach, took over Sassuolo Calcio on 3 June 2024, the Emilia‑Romagna side was still smarting from its first‑ever drop from Serie A.

A One‑Season Comeback

Against the odds, Sassuolo bounced back in record time. By 13 April 2025 the club had locked in mathematical promotion to the top flight, a full three months before the Serie B season wrapped up. The feat was sealed on 21 May when Sassuolo clinched the Serie B championship with a 2‑0 win over Pordenone, confirming a stunning 78‑goal haul and 25 victories.

Fabio Grosso’s Tactical Turnaround

Grosso, who spent his playing career as a disciplined left‑back for Juventus and the Azzurri, imposed a high‑pressing, attack‑first philosophy. According to assistant coach Luca Tosi, the team averaged 2.3 goals per match – the best in the division – while maintaining a solid defensive record of just 31 conceded.

“We wanted to be the team that makes the opponents chase the ball,” Grosso told reporters after the title‑clinching match. “Our numbers show we weren’t just lucky; we were relentless.”

Numbers That Tell the Story

• Points average: 2.34 per game (84 points total)
• Goals scored: 78 (average 2.13 per match)
• Expected goals (xG): 54.77 – fifth highest, highlighting clinical finishing
• Top scorer: Gianluca Scamacca with 22 goals
• Assist leader: Francesco Caputo with 11 assists

The statistical edge was evident: Sassuolo’s points per game eclipsed the league average by 0.46, a margin that analysts at Opta Sports called “exceptional for a freshly relegated side.”

Reactions from the Club and Fans

Mapei owner Marco Benatti hailed the achievement as “the culmination of a decade‑long vision.” He emphasized the club’s infrastructure push, noting the recent upgrades at the Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore that now meet UEFA standards.

Local supporter groups flooded social media with chants of “Forza Sassuolo!” and posted videos of the title‑winning celebration outside the stadium, a scene reminiscent of the 2016 Europa League qualification celebrations under Roberto De Zerbi.

What Lies Ahead in Serie A

Looking to the 2025‑26 Serie A campaign, Sassuolo are slotted to finish above the relegation line, alongside fellow newcomers Hellas Verona and Cagliari, who ended the previous season five to six points clear of the drop zone.

However, the league remains a minefield. Pundit Alessandro Alvaro of Sky Sport warned, “The step up in quality is massive. Sassuolo will need to tighten up at the back – they conceded 31 goals, which would be a nightmare in Serie A.”

Meanwhile, newly promoted Pisa, Cremonese and Lecce are already being labeled the “relegation trio” by betting markets, with Pisa’s odds of dropping back down sitting at 38.2%.

Historical Roots and Mapei’s Vision

Founded in 1912 as Unione Sportiva Sassuolo Calcio, the club spent most of its century in regional leagues before climbing to Serie C1 in 2006. The acquisition by construction giant Mapei in 2003 sparked a rapid professionalisation: a state‑of‑the‑art football centre, modern training facilities, and the stadium revamp that now hosts both Sassuolo and neighbours Reggiana.

Mapei’s long‑term plan, outlined in a 2022 corporate sustainability report, earmarks €30 million for community projects linked to the club, positioning Sassuolo as a hub for youth development in the region.