Sassuolo Eye Acerbi After Leysen ACL Blow

Sassuolo's Defensive Crisis Deepens

Sassuolo are weighing up their options following a long-term injury to centre-back Fedde Leysen, and according to reports on Thursday, former Inter and Italy defender Francesco Acerbi is among the players they could turn to.

Leysen joined Sassuolo on loan with an option to buy from Union Saint-Gilloise during the summer transfer window but is set to miss the vast majority of the 2026-27 campaign after suffering a major cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Sunday's Serie A draw against Milan.

The timing of the blow could hardly be worse for the Neroverdi, who had only recently integrated the Belgian defender into their back line. Losing a new arrival to such a serious knee problem forces the club back into the market at a stage of the season when options are limited — and that is where the name of a familiar veteran has resurfaced.

Acerbi: A Ready-Made Free Agent Solution

Sassuolo still have several other options at centre-back, including Jay Idzes, Fali Cande, Duje Caleta-Car and Cas Odenthal, but reports from SportItalia claim that they are also considering dipping into the free agent market to bolster their ranks.

Among those options is 38-year-old former Italy international Acerbi, who has been available as a free agent following the end of his contract with Inter back in June. He had previously spent five years on Sassuolo's books between 2013 and 2018, making 173 appearances across all competitions including 157 in Serie A.

There are few players more experienced in Serie A than the veteran centre-back, who has 423 appearances to his name in the Italian top flight across spells with Inter, Lazio, Sassuolo, Chievo and Milan. That kind of know-how is precisely what a squad suddenly short of defensive cover might crave, particularly with a long campaign still ahead.

Why Experience Could Tip the Balance

Acerbi's potential return to the Mapei Stadium would be a homecoming of sorts. Having already worn the Sassuolo shirt for five seasons, he knows the club, the environment and the demands of Serie A football in Emilia-Romagna. For a side that has just lost a summer signing to a season-defining injury, the appeal of a short-term, low-risk addition is obvious.

Reports indicate he is one of several names under consideration rather than a done deal, and Sassuolo's existing centre-back options mean the club is not without internal solutions. But the free agent market offers flexibility that a transfer window cannot provide at this point in the calendar, and Acerbi's availability makes him a logical candidate.

Whether the Neroverdi ultimately move for the 38-year-old remains to be seen, but the Leysen injury has clearly forced the club into a period of reassessment. For supporters tracking Serie A squad news, this is one of the more intriguing subplots of the autumn.

For those looking ahead to the coming matchdays, our Serie A predictions take into account the latest availability issues across the division, while the latest football news page tracks confirmed injury updates as clubs release official statements.

The Wider Injury Picture

Leysen's ACL problem is the latest in a series of significant injury stories to emerge this week. Elsewhere in Serie A, Napoli confirmed that winger David Neres suffered a low-grade hamstring injury during Tuesday night's Champions League defeat against Villarreal, with reports suggesting he could be ruled out until the November international break. The Brazilian is expected to miss a crucial run of fixtures, potentially including Venezia, Roma, Monza and Juventus in Serie A, as well as Bodo/Glimt and Porto in the Champions League.

In England, Liverpool have also had to adjust their plans, with head coach Andoni Iraola revealing that Giovanni Leoni's return from a serious knee injury has been delayed. The defender, a £26m signing from Parma in 2025, sustained an ACL injury against Southampton 13 months ago, and Iraola disclosed that the damage extended beyond the ACL, forcing the club to tread carefully with the 19-year-old's rehabilitation.

These cases underline just how quickly a squad's depth can be tested. For Sassuolo, the response may yet involve a veteran who knows the club better than most. With the free agent route open and Acerbi waiting, the coming days could bring clarity on whether the Neroverdi make their move.

Fans can follow how these developments shape upcoming fixtures via our today's AI betting tips, which factor in the latest squad availability news.