Domenico Berardi
Italian footballer.
Domenico Berardi is an Italian professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for U.S. Sassuolo Calcio in Serie A and the Italian national team. Born on August 1, 1994, in Cariati, Italy, Berardi has spent his entire professional career at Sassuolo, having joined the club's youth system in 2010. He made his first-team debut in 2012 and quickly established himself as one of the team's key players. Berardi is known for his versatility, able to play across the front line but primarily operating as a right winger.
His left foot, dribbling skills, and eye for goal have made him a standout performer in Serie A. Over the years, he has consistently been among the league's top scorers and assist providers, earning praise for his technical abilities and vision on the field. Internationally, Berardi has represented Italy at various youth levels before making his senior debut in 2018. He was part of the squad that won the UEFA Euro 2020, contributing with crucial performances during the tournament. Despite interest from larger clubs, Berardi has remained loyal to Sassuolo, becoming the club's all-time leading scorer. His dedication and impact have been pivotal in Sassuolo's rise in Italian football, helping the team secure stable positions in Serie A and making notable appearances in European competitions.
Berardi's career is marked by his consistent performances, leadership qualities, and significant contributions to both club and country, solidifying his status as one of Italian football's prominent figures.
Family life & youth football
Domenico Berardi was born on August 1, 1994, in Cariati, a town in the province of Cosenza, Italy. He grew up in Bocchigliero, a small village in Calabria, and displayed a keen interest in football from an early age. His football journey began in earnest when he joined the youth academy of Cosenza. At the age of 13, Berardi moved to Modena to live with his brother, which marked a turning point in his career.
During a friendly match, he caught the eye of scouts from Sassuolo and subsequently joined their youth setup in 2010. Berardi's talent was evident as he progressed quickly through the ranks, making his first appearance for the senior team in Serie B during the 2012-2013 season. Berardi played a pivotal role in Sassuolo's promotion to Serie A that year, scoring 11 goals in 37 league appearances. His impressive performances earned him recognition and established him as one of Italy's most promising young talents.
Known for his versatility, technical skills, and goal-scoring ability, Berardi continued to develop, becoming a key figure for Sassuolo in the top flight of Italian football.
Career beginnings
Berardi's 2013/14 season was his breakthrough campaign in Serie A, marking his arrival as one of Italy's most promising young talents. This was Sassuolo's first-ever season in Serie A, having been promoted from Serie B the previous year. Berardi, who had been instrumental in their promotion, continued his excellent form in the top flight. At just 19 years old, Berardi made a significant impact, featuring in 29 Serie A matches. He scored an impressive 16 goals and provided 6 assists, finishing as Sassuolo's top scorer and one of the highest-scoring teenagers in Europe's top leagues that season. One of the most memorable moments of Berardi's season came in January 2014 when he scored four goals against AC Milan in a 4-3 victory. This remarkable feat made him the second-youngest player to score four goals in a single Serie A match.
Berardi's performances were crucial in helping Sassuolo avoid relegation. The club finished 17th, just one point above the relegation zone, with Berardi's goals playing a vital role in their survival. His breakout season attracted attention from several top clubs, including Juventus, who co-owned his rights at the time. However, Berardi chose to remain with Sassuolo to continue his development. The 2013/14 season established Berardi as one of Serie A's most exciting young talents, showcasing his clinical finishing, technical skills, and ability to perform at the highest level despite his young age.
Berardi's 2014/15 season with Sassuolo was a breakout campaign that truly established him as one of Italy's most exciting young talents. In this season, Berardi featured in 32 Serie A matches, scoring an impressive 15 goals and providing 10 assists. This tally made him Sassuolo's top scorer and one of the most productive young players in the league. His goal-scoring prowess was particularly noteworthy, as he finished as the highest-scoring Italian in Serie A that season. One of the standout moments of Berardi's season came in January 2015 when he scored all four goals in Sassuolo's 4-3 victory over AC Milan. This remarkable performance made him the youngest player to score four goals in a single Serie A match since 1931. Throughout the season, Berardi demonstrated his versatility, playing primarily as a right winger but also occasionally featuring in central attacking positions. His left-footed strikes, ability to beat defenders, and vision for creating chances were consistently on display.
Berardi's performances were crucial in helping Sassuolo secure a comfortable mid-table finish, ending the season in 12th place. This was a significant achievement for the club in only their second-ever Serie A campaign. His impressive form also earned him attention from the national team setup, although he didn't make his senior debut for Italy until after this season. The 2014/15 season was undoubtedly a pivotal one in Berardi's career, showcasing his potential and setting the stage for his continued development in subsequent years.
Domenico Berardi's 2015/16 season with Sassuolo was a significant one in his career, as he continued to establish himself as one of Italy's most promising young talents. During this campaign, Berardi played a crucial role in helping Sassuolo achieve their highest-ever Serie A finish, securing sixth place and qualifying for the UEFA Europa League for the first time in the club's history. This was a remarkable achievement for the relatively small club from Emilia-Romagna. Berardi featured in 38 matches across all competitions, scoring 8 goals and providing 8 assists. While his goal tally was slightly lower than in some previous seasons, his overall contribution to the team's success was substantial. His performances were characterized by his typical blend of creativity, vision, and technical skill. One of the highlights of Berardi's season came in a match against Inter Milan, where he scored a crucial goal in a 3-1 victory. This win was instrumental in securing Sassuolo's European qualification.
Throughout the season, Berardi's ability to create chances for his teammates and his threat from set-pieces were particularly noteworthy. His performances caught the eye of several larger clubs, with rumors of potential transfers circulating during and after the season. The 2015/16 campaign also saw Berardi continue to develop his tactical understanding and positional play. Under the guidance of manager Eusebio Di Francesco, he became more adept at dropping deep to link play and create space for his teammates. Despite some inconsistency in his goal-scoring, the season was generally viewed as a successful one for Berardi, as he played a key role in Sassuolo's historic achievement and continued to develop as a player.
The 2016-2017 season was a significant yet turbulent period for Domenico Berardi. He began the season in fine form, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess and technical abilities. However, his campaign was heavily disrupted by a serious knee injury sustained in August, during a match against Pescara. This injury sidelined him for several months, significantly impacting Sassuolo's attacking strength. Despite his lengthy absence, Berardi made a notable comeback in the latter part of the season. He managed to score 5 goals and provided 10 assists in 21 Serie A appearances, demonstrating his importance to the team. His return bolstered Sassuolo's attack and provided a much-needed boost to their performances.
Sassuolo, under manager Eusebio Di Francesco, finished 12th in Serie A and had a historic run in the UEFA Europa League, reaching the group stage for the first time in the club's history. Berardi's contributions were crucial in their European campaign, even though he missed several matches due to his injury. Berardi's resilience and determination to recover and perform at a high level highlighted his character and commitment to the team. His ability to bounce back from a significant injury and still make a substantial impact underscored his importance to Sassuolo and his reputation as one of Italy's most talented young forwards.
Ongoing first team opportunities
The 2017-2018 season was a challenging period for Domenico Berardi. As a key player for Sassuolo, he began the season with high expectations but faced several hurdles. Berardi struggled with form and consistency, which affected his goal-scoring output. Throughout the Serie A campaign, he managed to score only 4 goals in 31 appearances, a noticeable drop compared to his previous seasons. Berardi's dip in form was partly due to injuries that hindered his ability to maintain peak performance. Despite these setbacks, he remained a crucial component of Sassuolo's attack, contributing with assists and his overall playmaking abilities. His vision and technical skills were evident, even when he wasn't scoring, as he often created opportunities for his teammates.
Sassuolo, under the management of Cristian Bucchi and later Giuseppe Iachini, had a turbulent season, finishing 11th in Serie A. Berardi's leadership and experience were vital in helping the team navigate through a tough season. His performances, while not reaching the heights of previous years, demonstrated his resilience and commitment to the club. Off the pitch, Berardi continued to attract interest from larger clubs, but he remained loyal to Sassuolo, focusing on regaining his form and helping his team improve. The 2017-2018 season was a testament to Berardi's perseverance and determination to overcome challenges and continue contributing to his team's success.
Berardi had a solid 2018/19 season playing for Sassuolo in Serie A, Italy's top football division. As one of the team's key attacking players, Berardi made significant contributions to Sassuolo's campaign. During that season, Berardi appeared in 35 league matches for Sassuolo, showcasing his importance to the team. He scored 8 goals in Serie A, demonstrating his ability to find the back of the net consistently.
Additionally, Berardi provided 5 assists, highlighting his role as both a scorer and a creator for his team. Berardi's performances helped Sassuolo secure a respectable 11th place finish in Serie A. His versatility was on display throughout the season, as he primarily played as a right winger but could also operate in other attacking positions when needed. The 2018/19 season saw Berardi continue to develop his skills and maintain his status as one of Sassuolo's most important players. His ability to both score and create chances made him a constant threat to opposing defenses. While it wasn't his most prolific season in terms of goal-scoring, Berardi's overall contributions to the team's play were valuable. His performances during this campaign further cemented his reputation as one of the talented Italian forwards in Serie A. This season was part of Berardi's ongoing journey with Sassuolo, a club he has been with for most of his professional career, showing his loyalty and importance to the team.
The 2019/20 season was a solid campaign for Domenico Berardi, as he continued to be a key figure in Sassuolo's attack. The club finished 8th in Serie A, matching their highest-ever league position, with Berardi playing a significant role in this achievement. Berardi made 31 appearances in Serie A, scoring 14 goals and providing 10 assists, totaling 24 goal contributions.
This marked one of his most balanced seasons in terms of both scoring and creating chances. His ability to both find the net and set up teammates underlined his importance to Sassuolo's attacking play. The season was unique due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a three-month suspension of play from March to June. Despite this unprecedented disruption, Berardi managed to maintain his form when the season resumed, helping Sassuolo finish strongly. Playing primarily on the right wing, Berardi continued to showcase his technical skills, creative passing, and deadly left foot. His partnership with Francesco Caputo in attack proved particularly fruitful, with the duo combining for numerous goals. Berardi's set-piece ability was also on display throughout the season, contributing to his goal and assist tallies. His performances helped Sassuolo become one of the most entertaining teams to watch in Serie A, known for their attacking football under manager Roberto De Zerbi.
Despite ongoing interest from larger clubs, Berardi remained committed to Sassuolo, further cementing his status as a club icon. His consistency and loyalty were key factors in Sassuolo's continued growth as a stable Serie A club. The 2019/20 season saw Berardi further establish himself as one of Serie A's most reliable attacking players, combining goal-scoring prowess with creative playmaking.
His 20/21 season was a remarkable one for Domenico Berardi, as he played a pivotal role in Sassuolo's impressive campaign. The Neroverdi finished 8th in Serie A, narrowly missing out on European qualification, with Berardi's contributions being instrumental to their success. In 30 Serie A appearances, Berardi scored 17 goals and provided 8 assists, totaling 25 goal contributions. This tally represented his most prolific season in Serie A up to that point, highlighting his growing influence and efficiency in front of goal.
His performances were crucial in Sassuolo's high-scoring season, with the team netting 64 goals in total. Berardi's role as Sassuolo's talisman was evident throughout the campaign. Playing primarily on the right wing, he showcased his ability to cut inside onto his favored left foot, creating chances for himself and his teammates. His set-piece prowess was also on display, with several goals coming from free-kicks and penalties. The season saw Berardi form a potent attacking partnership with Francesco Caputo and Jeremie Boga, making Sassuolo one of the most entertaining teams to watch in Serie A. His performances caught the eye of bigger clubs and solidified his place in the Italian national team. Berardi's consistency was particularly noteworthy, as he managed to maintain a high level of performance despite the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the congested fixture list.
This season marked a significant step forward in Berardi's career, elevating his status from a talented player to one of Serie A's elite forwards. His loyalty to Sassuolo continued to be appreciated by the club's fans, as he remained a key figure in their project despite interest from larger teams.
Continued growth & development
The 2021/22 season was a standout campaign for Domenico Berardi at Sassuolo, further cementing his status as one of Serie A's most dangerous attackers. The Italian forward enjoyed one of his most productive seasons to date, playing a crucial role in Sassuolo's respectable 11th-place finish in the league. Berardi featured in 33 Serie A matches, showcasing remarkable consistency and durability throughout the season. He recorded an impressive tally of 15 goals, making him Sassuolo's top scorer and placing him among the league's leading goalscorers. Additionally, he provided 14 assists, demonstrating his ability to both create and finish chances.
His total of 29 goal contributions was a career-high in Serie A, highlighting his growing influence and maturity as a player. Berardi's performances were instrumental in Sassuolo's attacking play, with the team scoring 64 goals in the league, the sixth-highest tally that season. Berardi's versatility was evident as he excelled in his preferred right-wing position but also showed his capability to play centrally when required. His left foot remained a potent weapon, whether cutting inside to shoot or delivering precise crosses and through balls. Off the pitch, Berardi continued to be a leader for Sassuolo, captaining the side and setting an example for younger players. His consistent performances attracted interest from larger clubs, but he remained committed to Sassuolo.
The 2021/22 season also saw Berardi play a role in Italy's FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, with his club form translating well to the international stage. Overall, it was a season that underlined Berardi's importance to Sassuolo and his status as one of Serie A's premier attacking talents.
Berardi continued to be a pivotal player for Sassuolo during the 2022/23 Serie A season. As the club's talisman and captain, Berardi showcased his versatility and attacking prowess throughout the campaign. In his 26 league appearances, Berardi netted 12 goals and provided 7 assists, leading Sassuolo's offensive efforts. His contribution was crucial in helping the team secure a mid-table finish in a competitive Serie A.
Berardi's ability to play across the front line, primarily as a right winger or second striker, allowed him to influence games significantly. The season saw Berardi maintain his reputation as one of Serie A's most consistent performers outside the top clubs. His technical skills, including precise dribbling, creative passing, and clinical finishing, were on full display. Berardi's left foot remained a potent weapon, whether curling in shots from distance or delivering pinpoint crosses. Despite persistent transfer rumors linking him to larger Italian clubs, Berardi remained loyal to Sassuolo, the team he has represented throughout his professional career. His leadership on and off the pitch was evident, guiding a relatively young Sassuolo squad through the challenges of the season. Berardi's performances didn't go unnoticed on the international stage either, as he continued to be a regular feature in the Italian national team setup.
His club form was a bright spot in a period of transition for the Azzurri. While Sassuolo's overall season was somewhat inconsistent, Berardi's individual performances remained a highlight, reinforcing his status as one of Serie A's premier attacking talents.
In the 2023/24 season, Domenico Berardi continues to play a crucial role for U.S. Sassuolo Calcio in Serie A. As the team's captain and star player, Berardi's experience and skill have been indispensable. Despite facing stiff competition in the league, his performances have helped Sassuolo navigate through a challenging season. Berardi started the season strongly, showcasing his trademark dribbling, precise left foot, and ability to create and convert scoring opportunities.
His leadership on and off the pitch has been vital, particularly in guiding the team's younger players and maintaining morale during difficult stretches of the season. One of the highlights of Berardi's season has been his consistent goal-scoring form. He has not only been a reliable scorer but also a key playmaker, contributing numerous assists and creating chances for his teammates. His ability to perform in crucial matches has helped Sassuolo secure important points against top-tier teams. In addition to his on-field contributions, Berardi's influence extends to his commitment and loyalty to the club, having turned down several transfer offers to stay with Sassuolo. This decision has further endeared him to the fans and cemented his legacy at the club.
Overall, Berardi's 2023/24 season has been characterized by his exceptional performances, leadership, and unwavering dedication to Sassuolo. As the season progresses, his impact will be pivotal in determining Sassuolo's final standing in Serie A and their ambitions in domestic competitions.
Youth Internationals
Domenico Berardi had a notable youth international career with Italy. He first appeared for the Italy U19 team in 2012, making an immediate impact with his technical skills and goal-scoring ability. His performances earned him a call-up to the Italy U21 squad in 2013. With the U21s, Berardi played a pivotal role in several key tournaments. He was part of the squad for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where his performances attracted attention despite Italy's group stage exit. Berardi's contributions were vital in the qualification campaigns, where he often provided crucial goals and assists.
Throughout his youth international career, Berardi was recognized for his vision, creativity, and ability to influence matches. His time with the U21s helped him develop further as a player, showcasing his potential to become a key figure for the senior national team in the future.
Senior international
Berardi's senior debut came on June 1, 2018, in a friendly match against France. Despite the team's 3-1 defeat, Berardi's inclusion in the squad marked the beginning of his journey with the Azzurri. His technical skills, vision, and versatility as a forward quickly caught the attention of the national team selectors. One of the pivotal moments in Berardi's international career was his participation in the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament. Initially starting as a squad player, he soon became a crucial component of Roberto Mancini's team. Berardi featured prominently in the group stage matches, contributing with his dynamic play and tactical awareness. His ability to operate effectively on the wings and link up with the central strikers added depth to Italy's attacking options.
During Euro 2020, Berardi's performances were instrumental in Italy's successful campaign. His tenacity and work rate off the ball, combined with his creativity and precise crossing, helped Italy maintain their attacking threat throughout the tournament. Though he did not score, his contributions were vital in Italy's build-up play and offensive transitions. Italy went on to win the tournament, defeating England in the final through a penalty shootout. Berardi's involvement in the squad, even if not always in the starting XI, highlighted his importance as a reliable and adaptable player. The victory at Euro 2020 was a significant achievement for Berardi, marking his first major international trophy and cementing his place in Italian football history. Post-Euro 2020, Berardi has continued to be a regular feature in Italy's squad, participating in World Cup qualifiers, UEFA Nations League matches, and other international friendlies. His role has evolved, often serving as a senior figure and mentor to younger players coming through the ranks. His experience and leadership qualities have been invaluable, particularly in guiding Italy through the transitional phases between tournaments. Berardi's international career, while not as headline-grabbing as some of his contemporaries, has been marked by steady progress and meaningful contributions.
His ability to rise to the occasion during critical moments, coupled with his unwavering commitment to the national team, has earned him respect and admiration from fans and teammates alike. As he continues to represent Italy, Berardi's experience and skillset will be crucial in the team's future endeavors, including their quest for success in upcoming World Cup and European Championship campaigns. His journey with the Azzurri underscores the importance of persistence, versatility, and dedication in achieving success on the international stage.
Playing style
Berardi is an Italian forward known for his versatile and dynamic style of play. Primarily operating as a right winger, Berardi is left-footed, which allows him to cut inside onto his stronger foot and create scoring opportunities. Berardi's playing style is characterized by his excellent technical skills, vision, and creativity. He possesses a keen eye for goal and is equally adept at setting up his teammates. His ability to dribble past defenders and deliver precise crosses makes him a constant threat in the final third. One of Berardi's standout qualities is his shooting ability. He can score from various distances and angles, often unleashing powerful shots from outside the box. His set-piece prowess, particularly from free-kicks, adds another dimension to his offensive arsenal.
While not the fastest player, Berardi compensates with intelligent movement and positioning. He frequently drops deep to collect the ball and initiate attacks, showcasing his playmaking abilities. Defensively, Berardi contributes by pressing opponents and tracking back when needed. His work rate and tactical understanding make him a valuable asset in both attacking and defensive phases of the game. Overall, Berardi's style combines flair, technique, and tactical awareness, making him a well-rounded forward capable of influencing matches in multiple ways.