Sassuolo poured more misery on local rivals Parma with a 3-1 victory at the Tardini, but Francesco Acerbi celebrated a milestone.

It was a desperate Derby d’Emilia between two teams propping up the Serie A table. The Ducali had lost four in a row, something that hadn’t happened since 2001, while the Neroverdi were still without a victory this season. Simone Zaza was a late addition to the injury list, joining Antonio Floro Flores, Paolo Cannavaro, Lorenzo Ariaudo and Gianluca Pegolo. Parma missed Jonathan Biabiany, Gabriel Paletta, Marco Cassani, Raffaele Palladino, Nicola Pozzi and Cristobal Jorquera.

Domenico Berardi fired off target and Sassuolo had overall a better start, so it was little surprise when they took the lead at the Tardini. The offside trap completely failed, allowing Sergio Floccari a free header from 10 yards on Saphir Taider’s chipped pass.

Sassuolo doubled their lead moments later, as a free kick was taken short and the cross whipped in for Francesco Acerbi to get the final touch from seven yards. It was a remarkable moment for the defender who was out of action for a year so he could beat testicular cancer twice.

Antonio Cassano’s effort was deflected on to the side-netting, but Parma barely mustered a response. To make matters worse, Alessandro Lucarelli was booked and will be suspended for the midweek round against Torino.

On the stroke of half-time it was almost 3-0, as Taider curled a free kick on to the inside of the near post only to see it bounce back out.

Paolo De Ceglie nodded over, but Sassuolo added a third when a free kick was cleared only as far as Taider for a screamer into the top corner.

Andrea Coda was denied by goalkeeper Andrea Consigli and Antonio Cassano did get a consolation goal for Parma, pouncing on a poor Consigli punch.