Euro 2020 – Locatelli, Berardi and Raspadori: Maxime Lopez presents the “Sassuolo touch” of Italy

25th minute of the match between Italy and Switzerland. After a ball contested in the air by Ciro Immobile in the central circle, Manuel Locatelli, the young midfielder of Squadra Azzurra, shoots an opening in first exceptional intention for Domenico Berardi, placed as always in his right lane. The left-hander then goes to fix his vis-à-vis, before entering the area and placing a perfect cross for … Locatelli, who has just covered a little less than 50 meters to finish the job he had begun. A goal 100% made in Sassuolo. Everything except the result of chance.

For several years the Emilia-Romagna club has been one of the best-working ones in Italy. In offices and in the field. Initiated by Eusebio Di Francesco in 2012, the sports project has remained in the same vein ever since, except for a transition period during the 2017-2018 season. The following ? The arrival of Roberto De Zerbi on the bench, well-established principles, an attractive game, unanimous press and improving results. With players who have fun. And who grow up. So here are two now holders (Locatelli, Berardi) in the selection, even if the first took advantage of the absence of Marco Verratti to make a place for himself. “There are four incumbents for three positions in the middle“, we can often read in the Italian press. But a third player has come to expand the colony: Giacomo Raspadori.

From the top of his 21 years, and while he has just played in the Euro Espoirs with Italy, the 1.72m striker was the big surprise of Roberto Mancini’s list. “But he has a different profile and he can be the attacker of the future“, justified the transalpine coach. You understood it: the” Sassuolo touch “is definitely present in this Squadra, moreover become more” Neroverde “(black and green) than” Azzurra “(blue). Maxime Lopez, who arrived in Sassuolo last October, has agreed to introduce his three teammates to us. “It’s a pride for me to see them at this level“, he announces to us in the preamble.

Manuel Locatelli, “an elegant player to watch play”

• Its trajectory : Manuel Locatelli has known everything with AC Milan. The midfielder arrived there in the summer of 2014, before climbing the ranks to Serie A. His first goal? Against Sassuolo in October 2016, as a symbol. Very moved after his first achievement, he ended up in tears at the end of the match in an interview that quickly went viral. Twenty days later, rebelotte. But this time against Juventus Turin: an overpowering strike from the right into the top corner of Gigi Buffon and a 2006 Fabio Grosso celebration against Germany, as if he did not want to believe it.

• Its technical qualities : “He’s a little younger than me, and yet he’s very mature in his game. I think that’s why, too, he manages to win in the national team. He’s the midfield. ‘Italian, he reminds me of Pirlo in his gestures. He is an elegant player to watch play, he has a right foot and a quality left foot. We could see him on the first goal against Switzerland when he dismissed left for Berardi. Short game, long game … He can do everything. I really enjoyed playing with him this summer. Defensively, it is very strong too. He also has the ability to adapt to the position where He’s aligned. With us, he’s playing in a two-man environment. In Italy, three-way. He’s a force. “

• Her personality : “He’s one of the players who helped me the most in my integration. Everything went well. He’s a really good person and simple. He’s someone who works a lot and who has been able to correct his mistakes over time. He himself confided to me that he no longer applied himself today. When he arrived in Sassuolo, he had a click that allowed him to understand the demands of the very highest level. Today, you feel the maturity. “

Domenico Berardi, the “leader techniques”

• Path : For a long time, Italy’s football waited for Domenico Berardi to explode. In vain. As aware of her talent but still disappointed by the lack of confirmation and affirmation over the seasons. Some blame the captain of Sassuolo for never having tried another experience, in particular to leave his comfort zone and get back into play elsewhere. What if his performances in Nazionale were the trigger for so many years? At 26, Berardi has no more time to waste. Friday, The Gazzetta dello Sport was talking about a Premier League interest. Sassuolo hopes … 50 million euros.

• Its technical qualities : “This season, he has literally carried the team with his qualities. He is our technical leader. He is decisive, but he also plays the game. He is a player who defends a lot and sets an example on the pitch. . Me, I find him really very strong. He is a very high level player. “

• Her personality : “In the locker room, he’s a little crazy. He sets the mood, he makes lots of jokes. On the pitch, he’s very quiet and he’s a real captain for us. He has everything. made so that I fit in as well as possible, that I am in the best possible mood, that I am well with everyone … Outside, he is a bon vivant and one of those who makes the most of ‘ bullshit ‘. I get along very well with him. “

Giacomo Raspadori, “one of the future strikers of the selection”

• Its trajectory : Giacomo Raspadori has completed all its ranges in Sassuolo. After his last season in Serie A (6 goals in 28 games), the young striker attracted the lusts of the biggest Italian teams. “For me, Italy can be quiet. He is one of the future forwards of the selection. I hope so, anyway“, assures us Maxime Lopez, who was able to admire all the qualities of his teammate this season. Unless otherwise indicated, Raspadori should continue his adventure in Sassuolo for the one to come.

• Its technical qualities : “He did not start at the start of the season, but he accelerated at the end and it paid off. He was decisive in the big matches, especially with his double against AC Milan. He did not necessarily have it. Profile of the typical striker, he is rather short. But he is very solid and very strong. I really like his downforce on his legs. He is very hard to move. Technically, he is comfortable in front the goal. We have seen it this season in the completion of certain actions. In training, he breaks the cage. He is a player who also wins a lot. “

• Her personality : “Despite his young age, he’s a very quiet person. He’s a bit more discreet than the other two, but he still has a personality to spare. You can see him on the pitch. He’s quite a nice person too. one of very pleasant and always listening. He wants to learn and to progress “.