Sassuolo must do without Domenico Berardi when hosting Athletic Club Bilbao in their historic first Europa League group game.

It kicks off at 18.00 UK time (17.00 GMT), follow all the action from today’s four matches involving Italian sides on the LIVEBLOG.

The Neroverdi have already made history just by taking part in this tournament, as their ascent continues after finishing sixth in Serie A last season.

Sassuolo must do without Domenico Berardi when hosting Athletic Club Bilbao in their historic first Europa League group game.

It kicks off at 18.00 UK time (17.00 GMT), follow all the action from today’s four matches involving Italian sides on the LIVEBLOG.

The Neroverdi have already made history just by taking part in this tournament, as their ascent continues after finishing sixth in Serie A last season.

The Mapei Stadium now welcomes Athletic for a very special occasion, but unfortunately star player Berardi is out with a knee injury.

Gregoire Defrel is back after missing Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Juventus, though also on the absentee list are Marcello Gazzola, Stefano Sensi, Simone Missiroli and Emanuele Terranova.

Defrel leads the trident attack with impressive youngster Federico Ricci and Matteo Politano.

Luca Mazzitelli and Tim Letschert are also surprise starters for Coach Eusebio Di Francesco.

Athletic Coach Ernesto Valverde has a full squad at his disposal for this trip to Reggio-Emilia, although Spain international Aritz Aduriz is still looking for his first goal of the season and is surprisingly benched.

There’s plenty of experience in the side, including Benat Etxebarria, Raul Garcia and impressive Iker Muniain.

Sassuolo: Consigli; Lirola, Cannavaro, Acerbi, Letschert; Biondini, Magnanelli, Mazzitelli; Politano, Defrel, Ricci

Sassuolo bench: Pegolo, Antei, Pellegrini, Peluso, Duncan, Matri, Ragusa

Athletic: Herrerin; De Marcos, Yeray Alvarez, Laporte, Balenziaga; San Jose, Benat Etxebarria; Muniain, Raul Garcia, Williams; Sabin Merino

Athletic bench: Iraizoz, Lekue, Boveda, Iturraspe, Vesga, Susaeta, Inigo Lekue, Aduriz

Ref: Raczkowski (POL)

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