The 2025/26 Coppa Italia season kicks off with a first-round encounter as Sassuolo, under new manager Fabio Grosso, hosts Catanzaro at the Mapei Stadium. The match is scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, at 12:30 PM ET (18:30 CEST), and pits two teams who competed in Serie B last season against each other in a high-stakes knockout tie.
Sassuolo enters this match as the favorite, despite their recent relegation from Serie A. The team has shown promising form in the preseason, with a solid four-game unbeaten streak that includes two wins and two draws. Their attack has been particularly potent at home, highlighted by a convincing 5-0 victory.
Key players like striker Andrea Pinamonti and creative winger Domenico Berardi will be crucial to Sassuolo’s ambitions to secure a win and advance in the competition. The pressure will be on the team to deliver a strong performance in front of their home crowd to build momentum for the start of their Serie B campaign.
Catanzaro, on the other hand, comes into this game as the underdog but with a reputation for being a difficult team to play against. They showed their resilience in a recent narrow 1-2 loss to Serie A powerhouse Napoli, an encouraging sign for their prospects in this cup tie. Catanzaro’s defense, however, can be vulnerable under pressure, and they tend to concede a fair number of fouls.
Their attack, spearheaded by Pietro Iemmello and Tommaso Biasci, has the potential to challenge the Sassuolo backline, and they will be looking to capitalize on any defensive errors.
Tactical Analysis and Key Players
Sassuolo’s tactical approach will be to control the tempo of the game with their strong passing accuracy and possession-based football. Under Fabio Grosso, the team is expected to be well-organized and clinical in the final third. The creative link-up play between Pinamonti and Berardi will be vital for breaking down the Catanzaro defense.
Catanzaro will likely employ a cautious but opportunistic strategy. They will focus on defensive solidity, looking to absorb pressure and hit Sassuolo on the counter-attack. The battle in the midfield will be key, and Catanzaro will need to be disciplined to disrupt Sassuolo’s flow and prevent them from creating too many chances.
The historical head-to-head record between these two teams is a recent one, with Catanzaro winning one and drawing one of their two Serie B meetings last season. This suggests that the match could be much closer than many expect.
Match Prediction
Sassuolo’s home advantage and superior attacking firepower make them the clear favorites to win this cup tie. While Catanzaro has shown they can be resilient, Sassuolo’s recent form and offensive momentum should be enough to see them through to the next round. The match is likely to feature goals from both sides, but Sassuolo is expected to emerge victorious.
Predicted Score: Sassuolo 2-1 Catanzaro
How to Watch Sassuolo vs Catanzaro Live Stream
The Coppa Italia first-round match is scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, with a kick-off at 12:30 PM ET (18:30 CEST). The match will be broadcast on various platforms.
CountryLive Stream & TV ChannelUnited StatesParamount+United KingdomPremier SportsCanadaFuboTV CanadaItalyMediaset*Broadcast information may vary based on your location. Please check your local listings for the most accurate details.
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