The 2013-14 campaign delivered a dramatic and historic survival for US Sassuolo Calcio as the Neroverdi, in their debut Serie A season, fought fiercely to secure a crucial 17th-place finish and avoid the drop. The year was defined by the sensational emergence of the 19-year-old forward Domenico Berardi, whose 16 goals proved decisive in their fight, including an unforgettable four-goal haul in a miraculous 4-3 win against AC Milan in January 2014. Under the guidance of Eusebio Di Francesco, who returned to rally the team in the spring, it remains a defining chapter that cemented the club's hard-earned place in the Italian top-flight.