Sassuolo have not lost in the Serie A since their creditable 1-1 draw against Juventus in October.

Last weekend, Sassuolo came from a goal down to beat Verona 2-1 at their Cittá del Tricolore Stadium to extend their positive run to seven games (four wins and three draws).

The team led by Eusebio Di Francesco have shown remarkable improvement since their 7-0 mauling to Inter in September.

The Greens are flying high in the standings, occupying eighth place on 18 points, level with Udinese and one ahead of Inter.

No doubt, Sassuolo are on course to retain their top-flight status for a second successive season.

This term, they have already picked up more than half of the points they amassed in the entire 2013/14 Serie A (34).

Last season was Sassuolo’s maiden campaign in the top division after narrowly missing out on promotion in the play-offs in 2010 and 2012.

Based in Emilia Romagna, Sassuolo found life difficult in the elite division and only made sure of avoiding relegation on the penultimate day of the season following a 4-2 home win over Genoa.

Incidentally, that day, three of Sassuolo’s goals were scored by two players on loan from Genoa – Antonio Floro Flores and Davide Biondini.

Sassuolo were off to a stuttering start this season, collecting only three points from their opening six matches after draws against Cagliari (1-1), Sampdoria (0-0) and Fiorentina (0-0).

Critics suggested that Sassuolo were in for another tough campaign but they have been proved wrong so far.

Sassuolo’s revival began on the seventh day of the Serie A when they managed to hold on to a draw against champions Juventus.

Bolstered by that creditable result against the leaders, Sassuolo never looked back, going on to win four of their next six games, including away successes against Parma (3-1) and Torino (1-0).

Di Francesco, who was sacked and reappointed midway through last season, knows only too well that it will be a grave mistake if his players start thinking that they have already reached their objective.

Instead, the former Italy and Roma winger has publicly claimed that, although his side are on the right track, they need another 22 points to be safe from relegation.

If Sassuolo keep their feet firmly on the ground and remain consistent, they have the potential to defy the odds and stay in the top half of the table as Parma, Torino and Verona did last season.

Di Francesco can bank on a good mix of experienced and promising players.

Goalkeeper Andrea Consigli has been outstanding since joining from Atalanta.

Ex-Napoli skipper Paolo Cannavaro, Federico Peluso and Croatian international right-back Sime Vrsaljko, formerly of Genoa, have all been in commanding form in defence.

Likewise, Francesco Acerbi, who last year was diagnosed with testicular cancer, has been at the top of his game.

Acerbi has been rewarded for his performances as last month, he made his Italy debut in the friendly against Albania at Genoa’s Luigi Ferraris Stadium.

Francesco Magnanelli, Simone Missiroli and Saphir Taider are Sassuolo’s mainstays in midfield albeit veterans Matteo Brighi and Biondini add to Di Francesco’s options in this department.

It is in attack where the 45-year-old Di Francesco is spoilt for choice.

Zaza form

Simone Zaza has been playing below par since scoring for Italy against Norway in a Euro 2016 qualifier in Oslo in September.

Nevertheless, Zaza, an Atalanta youth product, has managed to score two goals in eight appearances this season.

Up-and-coming forwards Domenico Berardi, on loan from Juventus, and Nicola Sansone play in a supportive role to main striker Zaza but are still pivotal in Di Francesco’s 4-3-3 system.

Veterans Floro Flores and Sergio Floccari are often introduced as late substitutes. Between them, these two strikers have already netted three goals.

It will be an achievement for Sassuolo if they keep the momentum going and make sure of their Serie A status with something to spare.

On the other hand, their rise up the Serie A table may well leave them with a fight on their hands to keep hold of Di Francesco, who could be tempted to take charge of a more ambitious Serie A club next season, possibly Fiorentina if Vincenzo Montella replaces Napoli’s Rafa Benitez at the end of the season.

Also, Sassuolo’s top players may leave in search of greener pastures.