Domenico Berardi showed Arsenal and Liverpool what they missed out on this summer by scoring a sublime long-range goal for Sassuolo during defeat to Atalanta on Tuesday night.
Alessio Dionisi’s Neroverdi visited La Dea looking to claim only their second win of the Serie A season. Sassuolo opened the campaign with victory over Hellas Verona, but have only taken one point from a possible 12 since. Leaving the Mapei Stadium side 12th in the table.
Berardi has only played three of Sassuolo’s league fixtures this term after missing the start of the season through injury. He assisted on his term debut at Roma after the international break and scored his first on Tuesday. But his efforts have failed to return any points yet.
The 27-year-old’s efforts could have been in very different surroundings had the summer market ended differently. Several clubs from England, including Liverpool and Arsenal, and Italy reportedly explored deals to sign Berardi from Sassuolo.
Back in June, Gazzetta dello Sport noted Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham had contacted Sassuolo for information on Berardi’s situation. Corriere dello Sport also cited Liverpool as a potential destination in July, and that his agent was aware of their interest.
Berardi even asked for permission to leave Sassuolo in August, per TuttoMercatoWEB, but Chairman Giovanni Carnevali wanted €30m (£26m). Lowering his valuation from a previous €40m (£34m) demand, yet enough to fend off any interest.
Berardi is still searching for his best form, but the Sassuolo star showed Arsenal and Liverpool what they missed out on against Atalanta. With TMW praising how he turned his game around:
“He started badly and practically did not arrive for the entire first fraction. Then he lights up and closes the gap with a fantastic long-range goal.”
Will Arsenal and Liverpool regret not signing Berardi from Sassuolo?
Berardi was a sensation in Serie A last season to catch Arsenal and Liverpool’s attention with 17 goals and eight assists over 30 appearances with Sassuolo. The right-winger showed against Atalanta what he is capable of, even though he is still searching for his best form this term.
Gunners and Reds chiefs can note his poor start to the game, but also how he overcome the early struggles. TMW awarded Berardi a 6.5/10 rating for his efforts, the joint-best score for a Neroverdi player on Tuesday night.
Berardi gave Sassuolo hope of a second-half comeback after Robin Gosens and Davide Zappacosta had given Atalanta a comfortable lead. The forward cut in from the right-flank and drilled a powerful low effort past Juan Musso from distance.
He will hope his midweek goal opens the floodgates to keep potential suitors interested ahead of the January sales. Although Berardi has three-years remaining on his contract at the Mapei Stadium, so Carnevali remains in a strong position.
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