In a thrilling encounter at the "Renzo Barbera" stadium, Palermo triumphed over Sassuolo with a stunning score of 5-3 in the Serie BKT match on April 6, 2025. The game was a showcase of attacking football, with both teams displaying their offensive prowess, but it was Palermo's Joel Pohjanpalo who stole the show with a remarkable hat-trick.
The match began at 15:03, with Palermo eager to secure a victory to bolster their playoff ambitions, while Sassuolo aimed for a win that could clinch their promotion to Serie A. The stakes were high, and the atmosphere was electric as fans filled the stands.
Palermo's starting eleven featured goalkeeper Emil Audero and a back three comprising Baniya, Magnani, and Ceccaroni. The midfield was anchored by Gomes and Blin, with Segre and Lund providing width on the flanks. Upfront, the attacking duo consisted of Brunori and Pohjanpalo, who was expected to lead the charge for the rosanero.
Sassuolo, managed by Fabio Grosso, lined up with Moldovan in goal and a defensive unit that included Toljan, Romagna, Lovato, and Doig. The midfield featured Boloca and Ghion, while Berardi, Volpato, and Laurienté supported Mulattieri in attack.
The match kicked off with both teams displaying intent, but it was Palermo who struck first. In the 18th minute, a corner taken by Blin found Pohjanpalo, who rose above the defenders to score with a powerful header, giving Palermo an early 1-0 lead.
As the first half progressed, Palermo continued to press, and in the 25th minute, they doubled their lead when Toljan inadvertently turned a low cross from Segre into his own net, making it 2-0.
Just before halftime, in the 45th minute plus one, Pohjanpalo struck again. After a chaotic sequence in the box, he managed to poke the ball home, extending the lead to 3-0 and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
With the score at 3-0, Sassuolo faced an uphill battle as they headed into the break. However, Grosso's men returned for the second half with renewed determination, looking to claw their way back into the match.
Palermo maintained their dominance early in the second half, and in the 55th minute, Segre scored with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area, making it 4-0. It seemed like the game was slipping away from Sassuolo.
However, the visitors refused to give in. In the 73rd minute, Pierini found the net, scoring with a powerful strike to reduce the deficit to 4-1. Just a minute later, Moro added another goal for Sassuolo, making it 4-2 and igniting hopes of a comeback.
Palermo's defense began to falter under pressure as Sassuolo continued to push forward. In the 81st minute, Pohjanpalo completed his hat-trick, scoring his third goal of the match with a header, restoring the three-goal cushion at 5-2.
Yet, Sassuolo wasn't finished. In the 83rd minute, Obiang scored a stunning goal from outside the box, bringing the score to 5-3 and reigniting the fight for the visitors.
As the match entered its final minutes, Palermo had a chance to extend their lead to 6-3, but Brunori's attempt was thwarted by the Sassuolo defense. The match concluded with a dramatic finish, and the referee, Fabio Maresca, blew the final whistle, confirming Palermo's victory.
This win propelled Palermo into the playoff zone with 45 points, while Sassuolo remained at 72 points, missing the opportunity to secure promotion in this match. The defeat puts pressure on Sassuolo as they continue their push for Serie A.
Post-match, Pohjanpalo expressed his joy at scoring a hat-trick, stating, "It feels incredible to help my team with these goals. We showed great spirit today, and we need to keep this momentum going for the playoffs." Meanwhile, Sassuolo's Grosso reflected on the game, saying, "We fought hard, but we need to learn from our mistakes. We can't afford to concede so many goals if we want to achieve our goals this season."
As the Serie BKT season progresses, both teams will be looking to build on this match's intensity and results as they chase their respective ambitions. With the playoffs in sight for Palermo and promotion still a possibility for Sassuolo, the excitement is far from over in this competitive league.
