View from the opposition: Sassuolo

After 22 games in Serie A, what have you made of Sassuolo's season so far?

"They had a good first half of the season and have met the expectations of both the club hierarchy and the fans. They've amassed 33 points in 22 matches and have been settled in seventh place for several weeks now, behind Serie A's biggest teams. A squad made up mainly of youngsters and Italians has further increased in value and recorded some impressive results along the way gaining the club more and more visibility and continuing the good work done in recent years. Eusebio Di Francesco's side have also claimed a double scalp by defeating the top two, Napoli and Juventus – something unlikely to be equalled by anyone else this season."

How have the summer signings been doing?

"Sassuolo didn't make many changes last summer. Their biggest signings were French striker Gregoire Defrel and midfielder Alfred Duncan from Cesena and Sampdoria respectively. They have done ok so far without really excelling because at the heart of Sassuolo's success is the team that did so well last season. The new signings have added quality and played their part but not proved themselves as decisive players for the Neroverdi yet."

Who has been Sassuolo's most consistent player so far?

"Francesco Acerbi without a doubt. He's been superb in the first 22 games – no other player has performed as consistently or had quite such an impact on the team as he has. The 27-year-old defender has also weighed in with three goals in Serie A this year, against Genoa, Sampdoria and Torino."

What has been Sassuolo's best performance of the season and why?

"Given just how well Juventus have been playing lately, I think we should point to the Neroverdi's win over the Bianconeri at Mapei Stadium on 28 October, when Nicola Sansone's goal earned the points. I think that was Sassuolo's best performance considering the intensity of their play and their defensive solidity that day, and also given the calibre of the opposition."

What has been the worst match and what went wrong?

"I'd say it's a toss-up between their defeat to Bologna on 24 January, when they surrendered an unbeaten home run that stretched back to April 2015, and their narrow loss to Empoli at the Stadio Castellani in October. We could also say that against Bologna the Neroverdi were missing lots of players and were up against a side in particularly good form while in Tuscany they were at full strength and probably a bit more disappointing."

Which area of the team has been the least effective so far?

"The numbers say Sassuolo are doing much better at the back this season and are currently Serie A's fifth best defence with 24 goals conceded in 22 games. They're scoring less, though. Domenico Berardi and Gregoire Defrel in particular haven't really got going yet, with just four and two goals to their names respectively. So the attack has been the least effective."

Which side in Serie A has impressed you the most over the first half of the season?

“Napoli and Juventus weren't in their best form when they came to Mapei Stadium but they're the best two sides In the league. If I have to pick one, looking at the football Maurizio Sarri's team have been playing in recent weeks, I'd say they have been the most impressive of all so far."

What have you made of Roma’s first half of the season?

"The change in coach might restore some of the confidence the Giallorossi lost during the latter stage of the first half of the season when Rudi Garcia's team dropped off in quality and therefore in results. I don't think Luciano Spalletti has an easy task but – given his experience, professionalism and the quality in his squad – he can end the season on a high picking up good results. I think catching Napoli and Juventus at the top of the league will be a step too far for Roma but I'm convinced they can still get into the Champions League."

Which Roma player should Sassuolo fans fear the most?

"In light of suspensions and injuries, Spalletti will have to make a lot of adjustments to his starting XI. Nevertheless, partly down to the impact he had on his debut against Frosinone, I reckon Stephan El Shaarawy's pace and final product can make the difference at Mapei Stadium. I'll add that Sassuolo also need to keep an eye on Miralem Pjanic – he can make incisive passes, has a sweet strike and is good with the ball at his feet. He can change a game in a single moment."

If you could add one Roma player to Sassuolo's squad, who would you pick and why?

"For tactical flexibility, age and potential for future growth, I think Alessandro Florenzi would be the best choice. He's a well-rounded footballer who unites quality and dynamism, plus he has a great strike and a lot of determination."

What's your score prediction for the match this evening?

"I think it could go any of three ways. Neither side is enjoying their best run of form but that's also why I think they'll want to get the victory. It might turn out to be a draw but that would be more the result of each team striving to outdo each other rather than settling for it. I think neither Di Francesco nor Spalletti want to take home a share of the points."