Bologna and Sassuolo currently sit ninth and tenth respectively in Serie A, with both clubs looking to finish the season on a high. An Emilian derby that promises to be quite the spectacle given the excellent form both sides are both enjoying following the forced intermission due to the COVID-19 emergency. For our statistical comparison ahead of matchday 31 of the Serie A season, we’ll be using the database freely available in the dedicated section of the site figc.it to put the two left-footed midfielders head-to-head. Both play a vital role for their respective coaches, Mihajlovic and De Zerbi, even if they approach their position very differently: Riccardo Orsolini and Domenico Berardi.

The Rossoblù talisman has been one of the first names on the Bologna team sheet, making 30 appearances this season (28 as a starter) with a total of 2,307 minutes on the field. Berardi has made 25 appearances, two of these also off the bench, with a total of 1,987 minutes played for the Neroverdi.

Bologna’s No.7 is a powerful and explosive player, while Sassuolo’s No.25 is more technically-focused and unpredictable. But it has been Berardi who has been more involved in build-up play for his team, with 672 of his passes hitting the mark (77.9% accuracy) compared with his rival's 526 (69.3% accuracy). It’s worth mentioning that the Neroverdi rank third in Serie A for pass accuracy, evidence that every player in the squad has a good grasp of the team’s game plan. Orsolini’s athletic ability instead comes to the fore in the number of completed dribbles (45 to Berardi’s 35) and duels won (18 to 15).

Orsolini has been fouled more times (64 to 54) and has committed fewer (35 to 45). The former Ascoli man has been booked three times, while his counterpart Berardi has received four bookings and a red.

Orsolini has scored eight goals this season, one every 288 minutes. Berardi has also got the edge on him here, with eleven goals and six assists to his name compared to Orsolini’s four. The Bologna man has played a role in 45 goalscoring chances, while Berardi comes in just behind on 40.