Sassuolo coach Alessio Dionisi admits they've missed Domenico Berardi this season.

The striker has managed just appearances so far this season.

Dionisi said: “We really missed him. Berardi is as important to us as Mbappé is for France. If you look over the last 9-10 years at Sassuolo, Berardi has been absolutely decisive and he raises the level for everyone else in the squad too, some players feel greater responsibility in his absence.

“There are levels when it comes to players and we have in Berardi a true talent who makes our performances far more fluid when he plays."

The coach was also asked about replacing Giacomo Raspadori after his sale to Napoli.

He added: “There was no point going to look for a player like Raspadori, because he covers so many different roles.

“We didn't have all our forwards available this season and that makes a big difference, because the inertia of a game changes if you take the lead."