Sassuolo Face Pre-Season Challenges: Aquilani’s Debut, Stalled Market, Volpato Cocaine Case

Sassuolo’s return to Serie A is accompanied by a mix of optimism and uncertainty. New head coach Alberto Aquilani, who led the club to promotion last season, faces a challenging pre-season marked by injuries, a stalled transfer market, and an off-field incident involving young forward Cristian Volpato. The 44-year-old former Roma and Liverpool midfielder spoke from the club’s summer retreat, expressing both motivation and realism about the campaign ahead.

Aquilani’s First Serie A Challenge

Aquilani, who took over Sassuolo in 2024 and guided them back to the top flight, will make his Serie A debut as a head coach next month. “It is a great emotion to start this journey in Serie A, it stimulates me a lot,” he said. “We are working well, and as the start of the championship approaches, the emotions will grow even more.” The coach acknowledged the difficulties of the moment, particularly injuries and the ongoing transfer window, but avoided using them as excuses. “Responsibility is high, but we are motivated and have clear ideas. Right now we are a bit in difficulty due to injuries and the market, but we are not feeling sorry for ourselves because what always pays off is hard work.”

Aquilani also addressed the situation of captain Domenico Berardi, expressing hope to have him back soon. Berardi, who has been a key figure for the Neroverdi for years, missed the end of last season with an injury and is still recovering.

Transfer Market Stuck, Targets Identified

Sassuolo’s sporting director Francesco Palmieri painted a bleak picture of the current transfer window. “The market is blocked, perhaps it is worse than last year,” he said. “I am sure that within a week it will start to unlock a bit for everyone.” Palmieri confirmed that the club has exercised options to buy Muric and Walukiewicz, while selling Muharemovic. The core of the squad remains incomplete, which he admitted penalises Aquilani. “We will try to make him work to the best of his ability.”

Despite the stagnation, Sassuolo have been linked with several targets. One of the most concrete is Ignace Van der Brempt, a centre-back or full-back from Como, who Aquilani confirmed is among the profiles followed with the most attention. The club has also been associated with Bowie and Daniel Maldini, although no formal offers have been reported. Palmieri’s comments suggest that until the market picks up, Aquilani will have to work with a fluid, not yet defined group.

Volpato’s Reported Cocaine Positive Test

Off the pitch, Sassuolo are dealing with a delicate situation concerning 22-year-old attacker Cristian Volpato, who spent last season on loan at Reggiana. According to multiple international media reports, Volpato tested positive for cocaine during a traffic stop by police in Sydney, Australia. The player was allegedly stopped while driving at 109 km/h in a 60 km/h zone, and a saliva drug test gave a positive result. A second sample was taken and is pending confirmation.

The Italian-born Australian forward, who has represented the Socceroos at youth level, was at the wheel of a vehicle when the incident occurred. The outcome of the confirmatory test will determine the next steps. Neither Sassuolo nor Volpato have issued an official statement at this stage. The club is expected to wait for the final test result before taking any disciplinary or legal action.

Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|——|——–|
| Head coach | Alberto Aquilani, first Serie A season as head coach |
| Transfer market status | Blocked, according to sporting director Francesco Palmieri |
| Reported target | Ignace Van der Brempt (Como) and others |
| Off-field incident | Cristian Volpato reported positive for cocaine in Sydney traffic stop; second test pending |

What This Means for Sassuolo’s Season

The combination of a delayed transfer window, injury concerns, and a potential off-field distraction creates a tricky start for Aquilani. While the club’s core players like Berardi remain, the lack of a settled squad could hinder preparations. The Volpato situation, if confirmed, would add a personnel and disciplinary issue at a time when depth is already thin. For fans and observers, the next week will be critical: if the market unlocks as Palmieri expects, Sassuolo could still strengthen before the season starts. If not, Aquilani may have to rely on internal solutions and patience.

Source: TuttoMercatoWeb – “Dalla positività alla cocaina di Volpato fino agli obiettivi di mercato: il punto sul Sassuolo” (https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/i-fatti-del-giorno/positivita-cocaina-volpato-obiettivo-van-der-brempt-punto-sassuolo-2256866)

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