Sassuolo and Parma Share Points in Serie A Clash
Serie A | Sassuolo 1-1 Parma: Share of the Spoils in Derby dell’Emilia
Mapei Stadium, Reggio Emilia – January 3, 2026 – Sassuolo and Parma played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the Derby dell’Emilia this afternoon. A fiery encounter saw both sides create chances, but ultimately neither could find a winning goal, resulting in a share of the points. The result leaves Sassuolo in 12th place and Parma in 8th in the Serie A standings.
Match Summary
The match began at a frantic pace, with both teams eager to assert their dominance. Sassuolo, playing at home, enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the opening stages, controlling 58% of the ball in the first half. However, Parma’s organized defense proved difficult to break down.
Sassuolo eventually broke the deadlock in the 35th minute through Domenico Berardi. After a foul on Andrea Pinamonti on the edge of the box, Berardi stepped up and curled a beautiful free-kick into the top corner, leaving Parma goalkeeper Martin Turk with no chance. This was Berardi’s 8th league goal of the season, further cementing his status as Sassuolo’s key player.
Parma responded strongly in the second half. Coach Fabio Pecchia made a tactical switch, bringing on Dennis Man for Valentin Mihaila in the 55th minute to inject more pace and creativity into the attack. The change paid dividends as Parma began to create more opportunities. Their pressure finally told in the 72nd minute when Joshua Zirkzee latched onto a through ball from Adrian Bernabé and calmly slotted past Alessio Cragno to level the score. Zirkzee’s goal marked his 12th of the Serie A campaign, highlighting his importance to Parma’s attack.
The final 15 minutes were a tense affair, with both teams pushing for a winner. Sassuolo almost regained the lead in the 80th minute when Pinamonti’s header was cleared off the line by Yordan Osorio. Parma then had a chance of their own in the 85th minute when Zirkzee’s shot was well saved by Cragno. Ultimately, neither side could find the decisive goal, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Key Statistics
- Possession: Sassuolo 54% – Parma 46%
- Shots: Sassuolo 14 – Parma 11
- Shots on Target: Sassuolo 5 – Parma 4
- Corners: Sassuolo 6 – Parma 4
- Fouls: Sassuolo 12 – Parma 14
- Yellow Cards: Sassuolo 2 (Erlic, Henrique) – Parma 3 (Estevez, Delprato, Osorio)
Player Ratings
Sassuolo: Cragno (7); Toljan (6.5), Erlic (6), Ferrari (6.5), Vina (6); Henrique (6), Boloca (5.5); Berardi (8), Thorstvedt (6), Lauriente (6); Pinamonti (6.5)
Parma: Turk (6.5); Delprato (6), Osorio (7), Circati (6), Di Marco (6); Estevez (6), Bernabé (7); Mihaila (5.5), Sohm (6), Benedyczak (6); Zirkzee (7.5)
Post-Match Reaction
Sassuolo coach Alessio Dionisi expressed mixed feelings after the game. “We are disappointed not to have won, especially after taking the lead. Parma are a good team, and they made it difficult for us. We need to be more clinical in front of goal,” he said in a post-match interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
Parma manager Fabio Pecchia was pleased with his team’s resilience. “I am happy with the way we responded after going behind. We showed great character and deserved to get something out of the game. Zirkzee is a fantastic player, and he is proving that week after week,” Pecchia stated.
Tactical Analysis
Sassuolo’s 4-3-3 formation allowed them to dominate possession, but they struggled to create clear-cut chances against Parma’s well-organized 4-2-3-1. Berardi’s individual brilliance provided the breakthrough, but Parma’s tactical adjustments in the second half, particularly the introduction of Dennis Man, shifted the momentum. Parma’s midfield duo of Nahuel Estevez and Adrian Bernabé effectively disrupted Sassuolo’s build-up play and provided a solid platform for their attacking players.
The game highlighted the importance of clinical finishing. While both teams created opportunities, neither was able to convert enough of them. Sassuolo’s reliance on Berardi for goals is also a concern, and they need other players to step up and contribute more consistently.
Impact on Serie A Standings
The draw sees Sassuolo remain in 12th place with 23 points from 19 games. Parma, meanwhile, stay in 8th position with 30 points, maintaining their push for a European qualification spot. You can find the full Serie A standings on the official Serie A website.
Looking Ahead
Sassuolo will travel to face Fiorentina next weekend, while Parma will host Cagliari at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. Both teams will be looking to bounce back and secure valuable points in their respective quests for league success.
