Important Facts
- Pisa is 19th with 14 points, level on points with Verona and just three points behind Fiorentina; a win could immediately reshuffle the relegation battle.
- Pisa has been waiting for a win for five league games, conceding goals in each of them; at least Moreo scored twice against Inter last time out, with Tramoni setting up one of the goals.
- Sassuolo ended its seven-game winless streak with a controlled 1-0 win over Cremonese; four of their last five league games have had fewer than 2.5 goals.
- Pisa are without Semper and Albiol, while Calabresi is suspended and Gilardino is on the sidelines; this disrupts their defensive routine, and Cuadrado and Stengs are also out.
- The last three head-to-head matches were evenly matched, with Pisa conceding goals in all of them and Sassuolo scoring in each; the market sees a close game (2.6/2.9/3.1) with value on an away win and BTTS/under 2.5.
A game that could be decided by one or two small moments is hitting a nervous nerve in Pisa: On Saturday, January 31, Alberto Gilardino’s team welcomes Fabio Grosso’s Sassuolo to the Arena Garibaldi, the Stadio Romeo Anconetani, for the 23rd matchday of Serie A. Pisa is in 19th place in the table with 14 points and a goal difference of minus 19, three points behind Fiorentina and level on points with Verona. They have been waiting for a win for five league games and were recently punished hard by Inter with a 6-2 defeat despite two goals from Moreo. Sassuolo is eleventh with 26 points, three points behind Udinese and one ahead of Cagliari, and last weekend’s 1-0 win over Cremonese finally ended a seven-game winless streak. The first leg in November ended 2-2, and this fixture often seems particularly evenly matched after the break. Grosso is likely to start Berardi alongside Pinamonti and Laurienté, with Thorstvedt and Koné fully fit and Boloca still out.
- Venue: Arena Garibaldi – Stadio Romeo Anconetani, Pisa
- Date and time: January 31, 2026, 3:00 p.m.
- Competition: Serie A (matchday 23)
Grosso is expected to start Berardi alongside Pinamonti and Laurienté, while Pisa will be without Semper, Albiol, and the suspended Calabresi; coach Gilardino is also unavailable. Pisa can score through Moreo, so “Both teams to score: Yes” is an attractive option, and Sassuolo’s pragmatic approach continues to point to Under 2.5 goals.
Pisa Form & Record Check
Pisa’s league record remains stubbornly winless, and the last month has fluctuated between resilience and collapse. They drew 1-1 with Genoa, then lost 3-0 to Como in a lackluster home performance. The 2-2 draw at Udinese showed character but also revealed familiar defensive lapses. A solid 1-1 draw against Atalanta suggested control before Inter punished every mistake in a 6-2 defeat. Even in that defeat at San Siro, there was a reminder of Pisa’s attacking intent, with Moreo scoring twice and Tramoni setting up the second goal. The problem lies in the follow-up to the promising start. They have scored in four of their last five Serie A games but conceded in all five, and they have not won a first half in that period. Game management and penalty area surveillance are costing points. The table reflects the tension. Pisa are 19th in the table with 14 points, level with Verona and just three points behind Fiorentina, so a single clean sheet could quickly change the mood. Gilardino’s absence on the sidelines and Calabresi’s one-match suspension could disrupt routines, especially with Semper, Albiol, Lusuardi, Denoon, Cuadrado, and Stengs all missing. Buffon is also facing a loan move, which further thins out the options.
Pisa are expected to stick with their usual 3-4-2-1 formation, with Scuffet in goal and a back three of Caracciolo, Canestrelli, and Coppola. The formation is likely to continue to come on strong via the wingbacks, with Touré and Angori covering a lot of ground and creating danger early on, while Marin and Aebischer dictate the pace through the center. Further forward, Moreo and Tramoni are expected to act as the two supporting runners behind Meister, a duo that can press high and attack second balls.
The lineup could be affected by injuries: Semper, Albiol, Lusuardi, Denoon, Cuadrado, and Stengs are unavailable, and Calabresi is suspended. Gilardino must also serve a one-game suspension on the sidelines, so the coaching during the game will look different.
Sassuolo Form & Record Check
Sassuolo’s league record has stabilized after a dismal January run: 1-0 against Cremonese, following defeats at Napoli (1-0), Roma (2-0) and at home to Juventus (0-3), plus a 1-1 draw with Parma. The victory was deserved and controlled, but it also showed how thin the margins are when the attack produces little more than isolated moments. Against Cremonese, Faderas’ early goal allowed Grosso to opt for a compact 4-3-3, with Doig pushing forward and Romagna and Idzes securing the penalty area. Interestingly, four of their last five league games have ended with under 2.5 goals, and they have not scored after the break during that period. That could be confidence or simply a lack of punch once opponents adjust. In 11th place with 26 points, Sassuolo are not in crisis, but they are only 1 point ahead of Cagliari and 3 points behind Udinese, so a few poor performances could quickly change the picture. Berardi is expected to start and restore the front three with Pinamonti and Laurienté, while Thorstvedt and Koné are available again. Candé and Pieragnolo remain sidelined long term, and Boloca is still out of action.
Sassuolo are likely to stick with Grosso’s usual 4-3-3, with Murić starting in goal in all likelihood. The back four should consist of Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemović, and Doig, maintaining the formation that has looked more stable recently. In midfield, Thorstvedt and Koné are expected to flank Matić on either side, with the aim of controlling the tempo and feeding the attack early on. Up front, Berardi is expected to return to the starting lineup, with Pinamonti playing centrally and Laurienté attacking from the left, which will likely see Fadera relegated to the bench. Fitness was an issue, but Thorstvedt and Koné are considered fully recovered. Candé and Pieragnolo remain sidelined in defense for the long term, and Boloca is not yet available, so the depth in defense and midfield is thinner.
Pisa – Sassuolo Head-to-head & Statistics
The record in the last three head-to-head matches is completely even, with one win and one draw each. The most recent encounter in November 2025 ended 2-2, after Sassuolo had won 1-0 in March 2025. Pisa’s best day in this mini-series dates back to 2024, when they won 3-1 at home. It is also noteworthy that two of the three games were played at Sassuolo’s stadium. Sassuolo has scored in all three encounters, while Pisa has conceded goals in all three games, a three-game streak that points to recurring problems defending counterattacks. Interestingly, every second half in this trio ended in a draw, meaning that neither team was able to pull away after the break. Two of the three games had more than 2.5 goals, with the closing stages remaining relatively controlled. If these recent encounters reveal anything, it is that momentum fluctuates and then settles into a stalemate. With Pisa currently missing Semper, Albiol, Cuadrado, and Stengs, and Sassuolo is without Candé and Pieragnolo, the defensive rotations appear thinner than in previous games. This could make the familiar pattern of both teams scoring more likely again. Nevertheless, the three consecutive draws in the second half suggest that patience counts.
