2026-2027 Coppa Italia: Sassuolo vs. Cesena, Probable Lineups

Sassuolo and Cesena will face off at 6:30 p.m. in a match for the second round of the 2026-2027 Coppa Italia: if the score is tied after 90 minutes, the game will go directly to a penalty shootout. The winner will face Frosinone in the round of 32, after Frosinone defeated Juve Stabia 4-1. The Neroverdi have not won any of their last five friendlies, most notably suffering losses to Celta Vigo and Augsburg. Now things are getting serious for Aquilani’s team, with just one week to go before the start of the Serie A season. Cesena, coming off a 0-0 draw with Forlì, will make its Serie B debut against Sampdoria in six days.

Aquilani, making his debut on the Neroverdi bench, started Berardi, Bowie, and Lauriente up front from the 1st minute. In midfield, Bakola played as the playmaker with Matic and Thorstvedt flanking him. The wing positions are entrusted to Missori and Doig.

This is also Alessandro Diamanti’s official debut as Cesena’s head coach. Up front will be Fiori, Spendi, and Druiventak, while Bisoli, Pagano, and Francesconi will feature in midfield. The fullbacks will be Magni and Frabotta.

Sassuolo vs. Cesena: Probable Lineups
SASSUOLO (4-3-3): Muric; Missori, Odenthal, Idzes, Doig; Matic, Bakola, Thorstvedt; Berardi, Bowie, Lauriente. Head Coach: Aquilani.
CESENA (4-3-3): Siano; Magni, Ciofi, Mangraviti, Frabotta; Bisoli, Pagano, Francesconi; Fiori, Shpendi, Druiventak. Head Coach: Diamanti.

Diamanti spoke on the eve of the match: “We’ll go there to do what we’ve practiced, with the utmost respect for Sassuolo, but playing aggressively and with our chests out. The guys are working hard and doing a great job, so they deserve to approach this match with confidence and an open attitude. I want us to be a tough team to play against—one of those teams that opponents end up saying, ‘These guys are tough.’ With the ball, without the ball—intense and competitive.”