Cas Odenthal has opened Sassuolo’s 2026-27 Serie A campaign with the numbers of a forward, scoring in each of Alberto Aquilani’s two league selections so far. The Dutch defender first found the equaliser against Atalanta on the opening weekend, then struck again to secure a 1-1 draw with Milan.
Key takeaways
- Odenthal has scored twice in his first two Serie A appearances of the season.
- His goal against Milan came after captain Domenico Berardi predicted he would score from the corner.
- Berardi regularly jokes that the 2000-born defender is a “goalscorer” in training.
- Leysen’s injury, sustained in the 26th minute against Milan, could create a further starting opportunity for Odenthal.
- Odenthal’s fantasy value has risen from 4 to 12 credits after returns of 9 and 10 in his two matches.
A defender making his mark
Odenthal’s first contribution came against Atalanta, when he brought Sassuolo level in what was his Serie A debut of the new campaign. Against Milan, he again arrived in the opposition area at the right moment, this time delivering the goal that settled the match at 1-1.
The second goal carried a small dressing-room story with it. Before the corner was taken, Berardi told Odenthal that he would score. “He said before the corner that I was going to get a goal, and it happened,” the defender explained.
It was not an entirely unexpected moment for the captain. Odenthal said Berardi often teases him in training by calling him a bomber, a reflection of the Dutchman’s appetite for attacking set pieces.
Opportunity after Leysen’s setback
Odenthal’s early impact may matter beyond the scoresheet. Leysen was forced off after 26 minutes of the Milan match, and the outcome of his medical examinations will help determine how much room opens up in Aquilani’s starting side.
Should his fellow defender face a spell out, Odenthal has already made a persuasive case for continuity. Two goals from two appearances have given Aquilani a player in form at both ends of the pitch, particularly when Sassuolo have dead-ball situations to exploit.
His fantasy record mirrors that strong opening: he has returned scores of 9 against Atalanta and 10 against Milan, producing an average of 9.5. From an initial valuation of 4 credits, his price has climbed by 8 to 12. For Sassuolo, however, the more immediate issue is whether a defender who has begun the season so sharply can turn an early surprise into a lasting role in Aquilani’s team.
