The 2019-20 campaign was a breakthrough season for Sassuolo as the Neroverdi, under the ambitious, attacking guidance of Roberto De Zerbi, secured a strong 8th-place finish in Serie A. Leading the sensational offense was striker Francesco 'Ciccio' Caputo, whose career-best and club-record haul of 21 goals made him one of the league's stars. The year, defined by a run of highly entertaining, attacking football and notably the dramatic mid-season COVID-19 shutdown, culminated in a historic 5-0 victory over Genoa, cementing the club's new, fearless identity in the top flight.